Thinking of all the friends and neighbours observing Yom Kippur today. We will always stand with you against hate and racism.

Kicking off our @futuregovforum.bsky.social event, ‘Labour, Populism & the Future of Asylum’, to a packed room at #Lab25

The future of asylum. I am one of the contributors to this wide-ranging @futuregovforum.bsky.social collection published today

www.futuregovernanceforum.co.uk/resource/the...

NEW: 'The Future of Asylum - A vision for renewal’ essay collection published today offers bold ideas for reform & renewal of #asylum

Tackling the big questions from ‘contribution’ & community cohesion to asylum hotels & international reform.

Read ⏬
www.futuregovernanceforum.co.uk/resource/the...

The key question now is whether it can be scaled. And that's not just about ironing out operational issues, but far more importantly whether new Home Sec can get other EU countries onboard to widen the scheme to processing and returns to other parts of Europe.

Reform UK and others will say this is a drop in the ocean. But this really is groundbreaking.

As someone who's spent recent years campaigning for safe processing from France to disrupt dangerous journeys, and saw Brexit take away the last 'safe route' for families. This is a major step forward.

For those off to #Lab25 this weekend - make sure you check out the FGF hub in the ACC.

⭐ 3-4pm Sunday 28th, Labour, Populism & the Future of Asylum.

We'll be talking what's working (and not) with Labour's approach to asylum. And how centre-left governments should respond to the threat of populism.

NEW: FGF's @bethgardiner-smith.bsky.social & @emilyagraham.bsky.social argue the UK must lead international efforts to renew refugee protection

In an essay published today, they propose three reforms, including #asylum processing along migration routes ⏬
futuregovforum.substack.com/p/the-refuge...

Progressives have long argued it's too risky to open up this debate.

But the debate is here 👇 and those of us that support the right to seek asylum need to figure out our response and start arguing for it, or watch the system collapse.

www.reuters.com/world/africa...

So we recommend 3 reforms to the system:

1️⃣ Allow asylum applications before arrival

2️⃣ Restrict in-country asylum to deter people from travelling irregularly when not needed

3️⃣ Implement multilaterally with a new ‘Protocol’ to the Refugee Convention, that adds to and doesn't weaken the Convention.

That's bad for governments trying to demonstrate control.

And it isn’t progressive either – it favours those with means, ability or luck to get there, and has deadly consequences for many refugees.

To do this we need to answer how refugees can fairly and safely access asylum in countries like the UK.

Currently you can only gain asylum if you can physically reach a safe country.

This => most people turn to smugglers and a dangerous journey

The core rights and responsibilities of the Refugee Convention are as relevant as ever, but the world has changed since 1951.

Govts who believe in refugee protection must face up to the challenges of today and set out a better system or risk losing it altogether.

📣 📣 New today

The UK should lead a coalition to reform the implementation of the Refugee Convention and deliver a system that's fairer, safe and more controlled.

A thread 🧵

futuregovforum.substack.com/p/the-refuge...

Bold 'control and compassion' approach can reduce small boat numbers.

'“The new Home Secretary needs to seize the initiative on small boats with a real-world plan that is bold enough to have an impact but founded on hard evidence of what works'.

www.britishfuture.org/bold-control...

📖 👇 First of a series of essays we have coming up tackling the big questions on the 'Future of Asylum' and how Progressives should respond.

@akikohart.bsky.social on the ECHR argues we need fewer lofty appeals and history lessons, and more practical appeals to how it benefits each of us.

New UK-France deal on asylum is groundbreaking - moves towards both *deterring* small boat crossings & *diverting* ppl onto safer routes.

My colleagues @bethgardiner-smith.bsky.social and @emilyagraham.bsky.social have written for @labourlist.bsky.social this morning: labourlist.org/2025/07/keir...

The UK-France migration deal combines pragmatism with progressive principles.

This new alliance might just have provided the answer to social democrats seeking a response to the populist right.

Our piece for @labourlist.bsky.social @emilyagraham.bsky.social

labourlist.org/2025/07/keir...

Read coverage of the report in today's Daily Mirror 🗞️⬇️

✍️ @daveburke12.bsky.social
www.mirror.co.uk/news/politic...

Could UK + France + neighbours cooperate on an orderly, workable + humane plan to stop boats crossing Channel? Beth Gardiner-Smith & Emily Graham for Future Governance Forum set out how UK/France cooperation on processing claims + returns could work
www.futuregovernanceforum.co.uk/resource/asy...

📣 OUT NOW – Asylum Management Centres: A new approach to tackle small boat crossings

FGF report proposes new asylum centres in France to reduce boat arrivals.

✍️ Beth Gardiner-Smith, Snr Associate & fmr Yvette Cooper advisor & Emily Graham, Associate

www.futuregovernanceforum.co.uk/resource/asy...

📌 Our new report on a solution to the Channel is out today.

If you haven’t read it yet (?!) here’s a helpful thread from Emily with the main ideas.. @futuregovforum.bsky.social