OPINION
Great Yarmouth: Illegal migrants not welcome says Tory leader (Image: Getty)
Great Yarmouth is a proud seaside town. Families visit us for the beaches, the arcades, and the hotels along our famous seafront. Tourism is the backbone of our economy. It supports local businesses, creates jobs, and keeps our community thriving.
But in recent years, Britain has seen record numbers of illegal migrants arriving. The Government has struggled to cope and has relied on hotels for temporary housing. This costs taxpayers a staggering ￡6 million every day and, more importantly for us, threatens our tourism economy.
Article continues belowADVERTISEMENT
Elephant Digs A Huge Hole For 11 Hours And Sees What Comes Out Of ItReportingly |
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Panic in the US as country 'abandoned' by tourists from around the world
Rachel Reeves must heed this message - it's an economic necessity for UK
The UK seaside town that 'doesn't have enough homes for locals' and faces 1 huge problem
Brits are desperate for new Bank Holiday - here's why Rachel Reeves won't give us one
The UK seaside town once ranked with Syria and North Korea as 'worst place to visit'
The Labour-run UK town where residents are totally fed up of migrant hotels
Labour pledge in ruins as even more migrants put in hotels
Couple could move to stunning Scottish island for dream jobs with accommodation provided
UK tourists abandon Spain as 1 other country sees surge in British visitors
Angry UK village raises England flags across the street from migrant hotel
One of the UK's ‘poshest' seaside towns dubbed ‘Chelsea-on-sea' by miffed locals
The three Tory councils considering legal action over migrant hotels
GMB migrant segment sparks fury as viewers fume 'showing true colours'
Bell Hotel LIVE: Home Office launches appeal over ban on housing migrants
Beautiful island is world's only place where residents have decided to 'forget about time'
Majorca panic over plunging tour-guide bookings as anti-tourism actions bite
Migrant hotels on verge of collapsing as councils announce plans to copy Epping
TalkTV star tears apart 'scrambling' Labour government in one brutal swipe
The UK seaside town Liverpool and Manchester ‘left behind' where men rarely live past 72
New crackdown on scroungers claiming child benefit abroad to save ￡350m
Panic in the US as country 'abandoned' by tourists from around the world
Rachel Reeves must heed this message - it's an economic necessity for UK
The UK seaside town that 'doesn't have enough homes for locals' and faces 1 huge problem
Brits are desperate for new Bank Holiday - here's why Rachel Reeves won't give us one
The UK seaside town once ranked with Syria and North Korea as 'worst place to visit'
The Labour-run UK town where residents are totally fed up of migrant hotels
Labour pledge in ruins as even more migrants put in hotels
Couple could move to stunning Scottish island for dream jobs with accommodation provided
UK tourists abandon Spain as 1 other country sees surge in British visitors
Angry UK village raises England flags across the street from migrant hotel
One of the UK's ‘poshest' seaside towns dubbed ‘Chelsea-on-sea' by miffed locals
The three Tory councils considering legal action over migrant hotels
GMB migrant segment sparks fury as viewers fume 'showing true colours'
Bell Hotel LIVE: Home Office launches appeal over ban on housing migrants
Beautiful island is world's only place where residents have decided to 'forget about time'
Majorca panic over plunging tour-guide bookings as anti-tourism actions bite
Migrant hotels on verge of collapsing as councils announce plans to copy Epping
TalkTV star tears apart 'scrambling' Labour government in one brutal swipe
The UK seaside town Liverpool and Manchester ‘left behind' where men rarely live past 72
New crackdown on scroungers claiming child benefit abroad to save ￡350m
Panic in the US as country 'abandoned' by tourists from around the world
Rachel Reeves must heed this message - it's an economic necessity for UK
The UK seaside town that 'doesn't have enough homes for locals' and faces 1 huge problem
Brits are desperate for new Bank Holiday - here's why Rachel Reeves won't give us one
The UK seaside town once ranked with Syria and North Korea as 'worst place to visit'
The Labour-run UK town where residents are totally fed up of migrant hotels
Labour pledge in ruins as even more migrants put in hotels
Couple could move to stunning Scottish island for dream jobs with accommodation provided
UK tourists abandon Spain as 1 other country sees surge in British visitors
Angry UK village raises England flags across the street from migrant hotel
One of the UK's ‘poshest' seaside towns dubbed ‘Chelsea-on-sea' by miffed locals
The three Tory councils considering legal action over migrant hotels
GMB migrant segment sparks fury as viewers fume 'showing true colours'
Bell Hotel LIVE: Home Office launches appeal over ban on housing migrants
Beautiful island is world's only place where residents have decided to 'forget about time'
Majorca panic over plunging tour-guide bookings as anti-tourism actions bite
Migrant hotels on verge of collapsing as councils announce plans to copy Epping
TalkTV star tears apart 'scrambling' Labour government in one brutal swipe
The UK seaside town Liverpool and Manchester ‘left behind' where men rarely live past 72
New crackdown on scroungers claiming child benefit abroad to save ￡350m
Hotels in Great Yarmouth should be for visitors — not for housing illegal migrants. That is why, as Leader of the Council, I took action back in 2023, well before the rise of Reform.
When we learned that companies wanted to use our local hotels to house migrants, we moved quickly. Almost every hotel along our seafront is in a protected area called GY6. This zone is legally safeguarded for tourism.
Powered By
10 Sec
Fox News' Bret Baier reports on Minneapolis shooting
Next
Stay
Read more: Have you say of whether illegal migrants should be housed in tents, not hotels
Read more: 'Trust the people,' declared Winston Churchill – no chance in modern UK
Turning hotels into hostels or long-term housing is an unauthorised “change of use.” That requires special planning permission — and none of the operators involved had it.
Sponsored
Learn More
Amazing Japanese all-in-one gel for blemish removal
Undo
We used every planning enforcement tool available, but when that was not enough, I led the council in taking the matter to the High Court.
On 2 May 2023, Justice Holgate agreed with our case. He issued a final injunction banning hotels from being used to house migrants. In his ruling, he described the area as “a highly specific, protective policy directed to a large and highly important sector of the borough’s economy.”
In other words, he recognised what we have always known: protecting tourism is vital to protecting Great Yarmouth.
Hotels were only one part of the problem. There was also a risk that landlords might try to use Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) to house migrants.
I have always been very clear the council will do everything in its power to prevent this and so far no HMOs are in use for this purpose in Great Yarmouth.
Between the injunction and the HMO action, we have put in place firm protections that cannot be ignored.
Some may ask why we fought so hard. My answer is simple: The residents of Great Yarmouth come first. Our hotels are for visitors. Without them, fewer families will holiday here and our economy will suffer.
Fairness matters. Local residents and businesses must all follow planning rules. Big operators cannot be allowed to break them.
We are defending our future. If our seafront is taken over, Great Yarmouth will lose what makes it special, and the town will decline.
That is why the Conservatives in Great Yarmouth took the fight to court — and won.
This was something we worked on with our previous Conservative MP Brandon Lewis. Conservatives have led the way in Gt Yarmouth and I recently issued a joint statement with former Reform, now Independent MP, Rupert Lowe on making clear that we will oppose any attempt to house illegal migrants in our borough. We have not just spoken the words — we have taken firm action to protect our town.
Conservatives are delivering leadership. We are standing up for residents, protecting jobs, and making sure Great Yarmouth remains a tourist destination — not a base for illegal migrants.
Let Me Be Clear: Illegal migrants are not welcome in Great Yarmouth.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Labour pledge in ruins as even more migrants put in hotels
Couple could move to stunning Scottish island for dream jobs with accommodation provided
UK tourists abandon Spain as 1 other country sees surge in British visitors
Angry UK village raises England flags across the street from migrant hotel
One of the UK's ‘poshest' seaside towns dubbed ‘Chelsea-on-sea' by miffed locals
The three Tory councils considering legal action over migrant hotels
GMB migrant segment sparks fury as viewers fume 'showing true colours'
Bell Hotel LIVE: Home Office launches appeal over ban on housing migrants
Beautiful island is world's only place where residents have decided to 'forget about time'
Majorca panic over plunging tour-guide bookings as anti-tourism actions bite
Migrant hotels on verge of collapsing as councils announce plans to copy Epping
TalkTV star tears apart 'scrambling' Labour government in one brutal swipe
The UK seaside town Liverpool and Manchester ‘left behind' where men rarely live past 72
New crackdown on scroungers claiming child benefit abroad to save ￡350m
11 Harry Potter Actors Who Grew Up Stunningly.Direct Sharing |
Undo
Panic in the US as country 'abandoned' by tourists from around the world
Rachel Reeves must heed this message - it's an economic necessity for UK
Learn More
Undo
The UK seaside town that 'doesn't have enough homes for locals' and faces 1 huge problem
Brits are desperate for new Bank Holiday - here's why Rachel Reeves won't give us one
Salma Hayek's Daughter Is Probably The Prettiest Woman Ever ExistedPalGame |
Read More
Undo
The UK seaside town once ranked with Syria and North Korea as 'worst place to visit'
The Labour-run UK town where residents are totally fed up of migrant hotels
Aaron Rodgers Steps Out With His Famous Wife And Fans Are StunnedSosaViral |
Undo
Labour pledge in ruins as even more migrants put in hotels
Couple could move to stunning Scottish island for dream jobs with accommodation provided
Top 15 Prettiest Icons In The HistoryThe Noodle Box |
Undo
UK tourists abandon Spain as 1 other country sees surge in British visitors
Angry UK village raises England flags across the street from migrant hotel
Discover more rewards in every journeyHSBC Travel with Points |
Learn More
Undo
One of the UK's ‘poshest' seaside towns dubbed ‘Chelsea-on-sea' by miffed locals
The three Tory councils considering legal action over migrant hotels
Learn More
Undo
GMB migrant segment sparks fury as viewers fume 'showing true colours'
Bell Hotel LIVE: Home Office launches appeal over ban on housing migrants
They Were So Beautiful Before; Now Look At Them; Number 10 Will Shock YouReportingly |
Undo
Beautiful island is world's only place where residents have decided to 'forget about time'
Majorca panic over plunging tour-guide bookings as anti-tourism actions bite
Adam Lambert, 43, Takes off His Makeup and Leaves Us Without WordsThe Noodle Box |
Undo
Migrant hotels on verge of collapsing as councils announce plans to copy Epping
TalkTV star tears apart 'scrambling' Labour government in one brutal swipe
Enjoy up to 8% cashback on dining, shopping and entertainment, and Luggage with S$100 cashbackHSBC |
Apply Now
Undo
The UK seaside town Liverpool and Manchester ‘left behind' where men rarely live past 72
New crackdown on scroungers claiming child benefit abroad to save ￡350m
Panic in the US as country 'abandoned' by tourists from around the world
Rachel Reeves must heed this message - it's an economic necessity for UK
The UK seaside town that 'doesn't have enough homes for locals' and faces 1 huge problem
Brits are desperate for new Bank Holiday - here's why Rachel Reeves won't give us one
The UK seaside town once ranked with Syria and North Korea as 'worst place to visit'
The Labour-run UK town where residents are totally fed up of migrant hotels
Labour pledge in ruins as even more migrants put in hotels
Couple could move to stunning Scottish island for dream jobs with accommodation provided
UK tourists abandon Spain as 1 other country sees surge in British visitors
Angry UK village raises England flags across the street from migrant hotel
One of the UK's ‘poshest' seaside towns dubbed ‘Chelsea-on-sea' by miffed locals
The three Tory councils considering legal action over migrant hotels
GMB migrant segment sparks fury as viewers fume 'showing true colours'
Undo
Sponsored LinksSponsored Links
Helping individuals turn aspirations into reality with support.OCBC
Undo
Sponsored LinksSponsored Links
Meet Single Older Women In Singapore Today – Find Your Match NowOnline Dating | Search Ads
Undo
Sponsored LinksSponsored Links
No more thinning hair! This bestseller at Watsons works even in 40s-60sHair’s Rich
Undo
Sponsored LinksSponsored Links
We will continue to take whatever action is necessary to protect our town, our residents, and our economy.
This is what Conservative leadership looks like: firm decisions, strong action, and a clear plan for the future of Great Yarmouth
Cllr Carl Smith is Conservative leader of Gt Yarmouth Borough Council.
Read Next
SUBSCRIBEInvalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy