Chris Vince MP on Redstone House: “It is important we do not use this.. to stoke tensions within our community”
Chris Vince / Tue 7th Oct 2025 at 04:36pm
HARLOW MP Chris Vince has issued a statement regarding the news issued by Harlow Council that Endeavour House (formerly Redstone) will not be used to house asylum seekers.
Mr Vince said: “Over the last 24 hours, there has been a lot of news about Redstone House. I want to be absolutely clear about what has happened. The Council were approached with an initial consultation to use only one flat. Now I know for many people that will be one too many. I have my own concerns, considering it was only recently that all residents were evicted due to serious fire safety hazards.
This was an initial consultation, which I and others have now fed into, and I understand that this is now not going ahead.
It is important we do not use this as an opportunity to stoke tensions within our community. I am urging everyone to be factual and act in good faith in all their statements regarding this matter.
I am still being contacted by people who are currently living there, who have complained about inappropriate living conditions and have contacted Essex Fire Service to raise these concerns.
Deb Bee
2025-10-07 16:57:55
Can I just point out, Chris, that you yourself commented on YH at the time saying “This is not the right decision for Harlow.” You didn't clarify how many beds they were proposing, and didn't say let's wait until we have all the facts before reacting. The implication was made that the entire block was going to be used for asylum seeker housing. I completely agree that mass housing of asylum seekers in central locations is not appropriate, and neither is housing anyone in these awful office block conversions. But, if we can't trust and believe the word of our party leaders and local MP then who can we trust or believe?
Surinder
2025-10-07 17:20:47
The responsibility for stoking tensions rests squarely with the Government that Chris Vince supports. They have completely failed to 'smash the gangs' and we have record crossings of illegal migrants that threaten our communities and culture. Surely Chris knew the scale of the problem; he must have been informed by his own Government. Both he and Labour Cllr Griggs were very weak in their responses, far more concerned with welfare of illegal migrants than with the wellbeing and cohesion of our town. They are unworthy of representing us.
Terence Terrell
2025-10-07 17:29:59
Isn't it strange that the truth seems to be like a movable feast. In the red corner we have chris Vince. Whose idea of the truth seems to vary along the spectrum Of believability, on a daily basis. Well! He has learned from the master, as in wishy washy starmer, who fully justifies the small, s. In the blue corner we have the remarkable Dan Swords. Who belies his young years such is his beyond his years wisdom. Dan has done so much already for this Town. He clearly loves her, and cares passionately for her. He keeps the good folk of Harlow fully in the loop, fully up-to-date with everything appertaining to our Harlow. So when Vince tells us that we were only required to take one immigrant, as opposed to in excess of 200, as stated by Dan-the-man- swords, I know who I'm going to believe.
David Forman
2025-10-07 18:01:06
If conditions are still bad in Redstone House as Vince says, then why did the fire service not reinspect? A few defects does not neccessarily make a fail on fire safety grounds and I have been a trade union safety officer, fire marshal and electrical inspector. Dear Editor, can we please have a statement from Essex Fire and Rescue Service stating when Vince approached them recently and what were the nature of the complaints? Also, what actions did the fire service take?
Seamus
2025-10-07 18:08:10
For any government idealog to look at Harlow and think, "I know, lets fill a tower block full of illegal economic migrants in Harlow and slap bang in the middle of the town centre" then that department either didn't do thier research or they did and thought "I know, Harlow's been a dumping ground before, let's do it again". Any facility such as that in Harlow would make the Epping protests look like a mere amuse-bouche. That does NOT mean Harlow is intolerant of others but it DOES mean we are fed up of governments and other council's using Harlow as a dumping ground and to hell with the residents views and feelings. Do not keep treating us as insignificant in our own town and do not test us, you might not like the results.
Gertrude
2025-10-07 19:21:27
Chris Vince.....about as useful as a barber chair on the steps of the guillotine!
Seamus
2025-10-07 21:41:39
The stoking of tensions within the community is being caused by the labour government Mr Vince, but you already know that.
Lez
2025-10-08 07:01:58
Where are you going to put them then Chris it's your party labour who letting them in stop the boats it's easy
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