Shabana has written to constituents on the Nationality and Borders Bill, after being contacted by a number of constituents concerned with proposed amendments to the Bill.

As proposed, the Bill would grant the Government the draconian power to deprive UK nationals of citizenship without telling them.

The Government claims that the changes are required for practical reasons, but the reality is that the legislation is just not necessary – the current rules minimally require the Government to provide notice to people it is seeking to deprive of citizenship via letter to the person’s last known address.

In her letter to constituents, Shabana informs them that Labour is strongly opposed to the announcement to remove citizenship without notice and will support amendments to remove this clause.

You can read the letter in full below.

Letter to constituents

Dear Constituent

Thank you for contacting me regarding the Nationality and Borders Bill.

I share your concerns that the Bill as proposed would grant the Government the draconian power to deprive UK nationals of citizenship without telling them.

The Government claims that the changes are required for practical reasons, but the reality is that the legislation is just not necessary – the current rules minimally require the Government to provide notice to people it is seeking to deprive of citizenship via letter to the person’s last known address.

Clause 9 of the Bill undermines the rule of law and targets some of society’s most vulnerable people; under the clause, you would not be entitled to see the evidence against you or contest that evidence in a fair process.

Labour is completely against the announcement to remove citizenship without notice (clause 9) and will therefore be supporting amendment 12, put forward by David Davis MP, which proposes to delete it.

Thank you again for writing to me. Please do not hesitate to contact me again regarding this or any other issue.

Yours sincerely

Shabana Mahmood

Member of Parliament for Birmingham Ladywood