Dear Dean Russell,

I write to you with concerns over your decision to support the Immigration and Social Security (EU Withdrawal) Bill on Monday, May 18.

Migration is at the very heart of our communities, our health and social care sector, so much of our frontline work and more. We are facing an unprecedented situation and supporting a bill such as this during a period of great uncertainty fundamentally opposes that.

As a migrant and key worker myself, I see how vulnerable and anxious many of our residents are - whether they are black and minority ethnic like myself who are at a much greater risk of getting Covid-19, or as an EU migrant who does not meet the £25,600 income criteria required in this points-based system.

More than five per cent of Watford residents were born in EU countries and more than 14 per cent are from the rest of the world. These are just some of the residents you were elected to represent in December 2019.

At this time of need and when kindness is key during this pandemic, I have to ask you, is it kind to define the people you clap for every Thursday as unskilled?

Under this bill, some of the wonderful people you have been volunteering with at our cherished Watford General Hospital would not have been allowed to come to the UK under this legislation. How do you think this would make them feel about their great contributions no longer being good enough?

I hope that you can rethink your position in the virtual chamber next time so that you are genuinely supportive of the people you supposedly champion.

Cllr Favour Ezeifdi

Deputy Leader of Watford Labour Group