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| Supporters of immigration have been on the back foot for a long time. It is difficult to make a case when the polls are so comprehensively against you. And those who are uncomfortable with the increasingly toxic debate on immigration fall into many disparate, sometimes hostile, categories. Some are business minded, wanting labour to flow and freely as capital. Others are concerned with the treatment of asylum seekers in Britain's detention centres. These positions have little to unite them, except for a desire to challenge the direction of the debate. This week saw a growing confidence among those who want a more humane, calm debate on immigration - and more scrutiny of the restrictions which follow from it. The case of Yashika Bageerathi demonstrated the growing strength of those willing to stand up for immigrants and asylum seekers. Yashika was a Mauritian 19-year-old who was detained weeks before her A-levels and then deported on an Air Mauritius flight this week. The interviews with her weeping mother, who had been left in the UK, made for a powerful demonstration of how devastating immigration law can be on families. The case for Yashika was not so much that the asylum decision should be overturned, but that she should be allowed to at least finish her A-levels. The case helped highlight how arbitrary and lacking in natural justice the system can be. The response was astonishing. A furious social media and telephone campaign against British Airways and Air Mauritius saw them refuse the Home Office request, although the latter airline backed down a little later, possibly after some threatening noises from the Home Office. The kick-back was immense, with Air Mauritius being hit by a substantial Twitter storm and promises of a boycott. It didn't stop it, but it showed the growing strength and influence of the pro-immigration lobby. That was also in evidence in Labour's response to a death at Yarl's Wood detention centre on Sunday. Usually these deaths in custody barely cause a ripple. A handful of blogs might mention them. This time it was a bigger deal. Labour responded swiftly - demanding an investigation into the Serco-run institution. It had a similar response to the Yashika row, with usually authoritarian shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper making a strong case for a more leniant and humane handling of the case. Labour is not prone to coming out on the liberal side of the immigration debate and it's not about the start making a habit of it. But the party is evidently prepared to back at least some specific campaigns. It's worth looking at the opposition as a weather vane . If Labour feels there's political space for a more nuanced position, pro-immigration campaigners should take heart. In all probability, what we are seeing is a reaction to the rise of Ukip. As the party's influence on the Tories pushes the debate into ever more frenzied terrain, people have become less and less comfortable with it. The changes taking place are relatively subtle and have not yet secured a major political win, such as the prevention of a deportation or the closure of a detention centre. But there is a growing sense that those who want a more civilised immigration debate are willing to stand up for themselves. Best of newsFarage comes out against prison book ban Farage joins growing chorus of criticism against the prisoner book ban Denied justice: Domestic abuse victims forced to stay in relationship Victims of domestic abuse forced to stay with their partner due to cuts to legal aid, damning new finding suggests Why you can afford to ignore the European elections No matter how well they do next month, Ukip's support will dwindle by the general election, research suggests Grayling faces legal threat over prisoner book ban Chris Grayling warned that he could face legal proceedings over the prisoner book ban, as the campaign against the policy escalates Labour can stop the khat ban this afternoon - but will it? Labour can bring Theresa May's illogical ban screeching to a halt today. But we still don't know which way it'll vote. Crisis of justice: Probation staff and solicitors go on joint strike Joint strike by probation staff and solicitors brings parts of the justice system to a standstill, as Chris Grayling faces his latest crisis Best of Comment and AnalysisHow did Maria Miller keep her job? The sad story of how a Cabinet secretary can survive an expenses scandal Clegg/Farage debate: The case for the EU is dead Supporters of the EU won't argue for it - they only dare argue against leaving it. Comment: Cameron's Muslim Brotherhood investigation is just a favour to the Saudis The PM offers satisfaction to Sisi's murderous Egyptian regime with an investigation into the Muslim Brotherhood Comment: We're locking people up for the crime of being born outside the UK Britain's use of detention centres is abusive, counter-productive and cripplingly expensive Comment: Grayling's book ban excuses just don't wash The justice secretary's defence of the prisoner book ban is weak and contradictory The Mothers' Day death: What happened to Christine Case? Who was Christine Case and how did she die? Comment: Why Nick Clegg is wrong to support the prisoner book ban The deputy prime minister claims we can send in book to prison libraries - but he doesn't understand how the system works. Comment: The medieval punishment of Syria continues, ignored by the world Tens of thousands are enduring total collective imprisonment under pain of death and yet Westminster still has no sense of urgency | Careers guidance changes: How will employers be incentivised to get involved?The Government’s plan to strengthen the requirement for schools to build links with employers to inspire and mentor pupils is very welcome news, yet is long overdue and will need a ‘big sell’ to employers according to the IET. NASUWT comments on headteachers' payHeadteachers should have their annual salaries published in a clear and transparent way like every other person in senior public service positions. Top tips from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) to combat the Heartbleed bugHugh Boyes, Cyber Security Lead at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), sets out five simple steps on how to protect yourself. RSPCA’s marathon task to rehome great greyhounds and lovely lurchersWith the London Marathon fast approaching the RSPCA is encouraging the public to race to our rehoming centres to adopt these gorgeous greyhounds and lurchers. Voice Cymru welcomes Improving Schools in Wales reportVoice: the union for education professionals – which represents teachers and education support staff in Wales and across the UK – has welcomed the report Improving Schools in Wales: An OECD Perspective. NHS will pay a high price for short-term mental health cuts, warns charityA new economic report has found that investing in quality care and support for people with schizophrenia and psychosis, results in huge savings in the long-term. Tougher GCSEs and A Levels will do little to fill the UK skills gapAs Ofqual announces tougher new GCSEs and A Levels, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) is concerned the changes will do little to alleviate concerns from employers who they say struggle to find young people with the skills they need. |
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