Standing Together Against Racism and Hatred

Ed Davey has responded to a letter from hundreds of charities to commit to combatting racism, prejudice and discrimination in all its forms. 

Text of letter

Rt Hon Sit Edward Davey MP
House of Commons
London SW1A 0AA

Together with Refugees and co-signatories
By email

Wednesday 13 August 2025

Dear Together with Refugees and your co-signatories,

Thank you for your letter about the need for political leaders to stand together against racism and hatred.

I strongly agree. The Liberal Democrats are strongly committed to combatting racism, prejudice and discrimination in all its forms.

We are a country of many proud traditions, one of which is offering sanctuary to refugees fleeing war and persecution. Many people have come to our country in times of great need and greatly enriched our economy, our culture and our communities.

Last summer, we utterly condemned the lawless riots that saw a small minority of thugs – egged on by hate preachers and conspiracy theorists – targeting some of the most vulnerable in our society, particularly asylum seekers. All political leaders must do everything we can to prevent a repeat of those appalling scenes.

But last summer also saw the best of the British people. Everyone who came together with love and compassion to mourn Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice da Silva Aguiar, the three little girls horrifyingly murdered in Southport. And all those who stood peacefully in solidarity against the riots. Who powerfully rejected racism and Islamophobia.

That is who we are: a caring country, not a country of thuggery. A nation of laws and decency, not hate and lawlessness. And we must ensure that is who we remain.

Yours sincerely,

Ed Davey