'Keir Starmer Is a Traitor!' Fury Erupts in East Sussex Town Over Plan to House 500 Migrants in Former Barracks

Tensions in the quiet market town of Crowborough have reached boiling point after the United Kingdom government began relocating asylum seekers to a former military training camp, triggering mass protests and fierce local opposition.

On Sunday, 25 January, thousands of residents took to the streets to demonstrate against plans to house up to 500 adult male asylum seekers at the Crowborough Training Camp, a former army barracks on the town's outskirts. The protest was one of the largest yet in a series that has unfolded since the Home Office announced the controversial accommodation scheme.

Crowborough Residents Demand Policy Reversal

The mood among many demonstrators was hostile towards national political leadership. As crowds marched through the Crowborough's town centre, chants of 'Starmer is a traitor' and 'Starmer out' echoed. These expressions of anger were aimed at Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Labour government for championing the policy.

One protester, Simon Brown, told journalist Camilla Tominey of GB News: 'The reason [why we are worried is] that the camp is so close to the town ... It's literally on the edge of Crowborough town.'

In a separate report, local resident Dave Cottingdon voiced concerns about his family's safety: 'We've got six granddaughters ... and grandsons too. We feel that their safety is now at risk as they should be getting some freedom. They're not going to be able to have that freedom now.'

Despite the forceful demonstrations, law enforcement reported no major incidents during the Sunday march itself. Previous days saw three arrests on suspicion of public order offences after smaller clashes near the camp perimeter, according to The Guardian. This prompted a larger police presence to ensure order for the latest event.

Political Leaders Join Local Outcry

Local political figures and councils have also voiced strong criticism. The Wealden District Council, as well as Sussex Weald MP Nusrat Ghani, have been particularly vocal about the absence of meaningful consultation and the potential safety and logistical implications of housing hundreds of asylum seekers near a small town.

In December 2025, community group Crowborough Shield launched legal action seeking a judicial review of the Home Office's decision. They argue that residents were denied the opportunity to scrutinise or influence the planning process.

Council leaders and councillors from across the political spectrum have also raised concerns about resource pressures, including on health services and policing. Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne has applied for more than £5 million in extra funding from the Home Office to cover the increased cost of maintaining public order and engagement efforts around the camp.

Inside Government Asylum Relocation Strategy

The relocation of asylum seekers to Crowborough forms part of the government's broader strategy to reduce reliance on costly hotel accommodation for people awaiting decisions on their asylum claims.

Officials say the site at Crowborough, along with another former military base in Inverness, Scotland, will serve as temporary housing while claims are processed. The entire procedure can take up to three months, after which people will be moved to a different location or sent back to their home country if their claims are denied. Earlier this week, the first 27 asylum seekers were quietly moved into the site, which was a move that intensified local opposition.

The proposal outlines a gradual increase in the site's population to 540. However, local residents have expressed worries regarding the rapid implementation of this policy and its possible social repercussions for the community.

UK Immigration Policy Under Scrutiny

The Crowborough situation comes amid a wider debate in the UK about how to manage asylum seekers fairly and sustainably.

The government has defended its policy, citing the high costs of hotel housing and promising to restore order and control to the asylum system. Critics, however, warn that repurposing military sites without thorough local engagement risks social division and feeds polarised narratives.

Legal challenges and ongoing protests suggest that Crowborough will remain a flashpoint in national discussions about immigration policy and community rights in the weeks ahead.