Cadets evicted from historic army camp for 600 migrants | UK | News

In a controversial move, students have been ordered to evacuate their long-running training camp in rural Crowborough, East Sussex, to accommodate 600 male refugees arriving in small boats, the Daily Mail reports.

Citing concerns for their safety and welfare, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) notified students to “cease all activities” in the area previously used by British and Canadian forces during both World Wars.

On Wednesday night, the town’s No. 8 cadet detachment held its final parade through the camp. Crowborough residents questioned why open housing, which allows immigrants to come and go freely, was deemed unsafe for students but safe for the wider community.

Jeannette Towey, leader of the anti-immigrant Pink Ladies group, expressed her dismay: “It is a terrible disgrace and an appalling indictment of the Government that our students are being forced from their long-standing bases to make way for 600 undocumented, fighting-aged men about whom we know absolutely nothing.”

“If the Ministry of Defense thinks it is not safe for students, how come the Home Office thinks it is safe for the same children in the town?” It added that it had raised concerns about potential risks to local children.

MP challenges government on costs, security

Sussex Weald MP Nusrat Ghani, former president of Crowborough students, found the scheme would cost the same as housing migrants in hotels. He questioned the government’s decision and said: “This is a unique and valuable training camp in continued use, provided to asylum seekers at the expense of our students.”

Ghani expressed concern about the impact this would have on future Armed Forces recruitment, saying, “If they can’t make the site safe for students, how can they make it safe for locals? The Ministry of Internal Affairs seems to be ignoring us.” he added.

Vital value for students and nation

Known for its parades and training facilities for rifles and automatic weapons, Crowborough Training Camp is a valuable asset used by various cadet corps across the country.

Local councilor Andrew Wilson, himself a former student, criticized the closure, saying it contradicted Labour’s “30 for 30” campaign to increase student numbers by 30% by 2030.

“Student power develops character, personality and life skills. It is a vital asset to our youth and our nation,” he said. “Removing that educational facility will have an impact on the student power of the entire country. This is callous, irresponsible and cruel.”

Protests and concerns about the city’s future

Supported by Wealden District Council and town mayor Natalie Whittle, hundreds of local residents protested the plan, expressing deep concern about the students’ fate.

Kim Bailey, of campaign group Crowborough Shield, revealed defense secretary Luke Pollard had said the site may never return to student use after being adapted for immigrants.

“They’re displacing them potentially forever, which is ridiculous,” he said. “Do they really think that the benefit of temporarily housing some refugees will outweigh the need of our Armed Forces?”

Alp Mehmet from UK Migration Watch criticized the government’s decision and said: “The number of young people who dream of joining our Armed Forces is too small to be this discouraged these days. It is a chaotic situation and the Government is completely incapable.”

Ministry of Defense insists students’ long-term fate remains undecided

The Ministry of Defense maintained that no final decision had been made regarding the students’ long-term fate.

A spokesman said: “The Government takes the safety and welfare of all students extremely seriously. No final decisions have been made regarding student activity around the site and we are exploring the scope of options to ensure activity can continue with minimal disruption. We will update our future plans before Christmas.”

The Ministry of Defense stated that it was working with the Ministry of Internal Affairs to assess the potential impact on military bases of hosting refugees and to develop the necessary mitigating measures.