Hundreds of Southampton residents responded fiercely to recent articles in the Daily Echo on Facebook that criticised anti-asylum hotel protests in the city. The comments, posted on facebook reveal a city sharply divided over immigration, protest tactics, and the role of the local press. Despite running campaigns recently on ‘safer streets’, the Daily Echo’s coverage seems to be at odds with the mood of the British people and national media.
Some users condemned the Echo outright, vowing to stop buying the paper. “Want be buying the echo no more,” posted Andy Killick. Others accused the coverage of being “far left reporting” and “propaganda,” with some suggesting the Echo’s US ownership was influencing its stance.
Facebook user Simon Ross hit back at the Echos letter saying that “protesters outside hotel aren’t welcome” bluntly with , “Neither are the invaders,” which set the tone for much of the discussion, echoed by Amanda Wellman’s praise for “the best of British people.” Pictures of flag-waving crowds prompted some, like Paul Munday, to celebrate: “LOVE SEEING ALL OUR ENGLISH FLAGS,” while others, like Patricia Fischer, simply posted a row of St George’s crosses.
Many other local Southampton residents rallied behind the protestors, defending their actions as a legitimate response to government policy and a growing sense of disenfranchisement. Staff Czornj adding “When are you Media outlets going to get it into your THICK STUPID heads,everyone is fed up with the illegal immigration,EVERYONE!”
Tom Newbury added “so it’s okay for someone to come here illegally even breaking the international convention on refugees and asylum seekers to be housed in hotels take priority on council waiting lists with government saying the local people don’t matter.”
Supporters urged others to stand their ground and take pride in their actions. Lynn Marie Hardy wrote, “Get a life and stand up for our rights, well done 👏 and fly those flags with joy 😊,” while John Boniface encouraged the movement: “Keep up the good work.” Colin Mabey added a rallying cry: “Lol yeah keep it up put the pressure on need them gone.”
Craig Jones directly challenged the Daily Echo’s reporting, asserting, “I wonder if your publish the story you took from the concerned residents of Avondale Court. A much different story to the one in this article. Southampton Times has published the truth maybe take a leaf out of their book.” This criticism highlighted a widespread distrust of the local paper among some residents.
The frustrations expressed by some commenters went beyond protest support to calls for governmental action. Lynn Barton demanded, “We need an End to the Boats coming to Britain, it’s the illegal migrant people that must be Stopped from entering our Country… This is a White Christian Country.” Her comment reflects a strain of opinion concerned about national identity and the scale of immigration.
Michael Lambourn expressed hope that local councillors were finally “getting the message” and urged voters to “get rid of the bloody government that’s destroying England now and his clowns 🤡.” Paul Morris called for harsher treatment of asylum seekers: “I don’t want hotels closed so they can go to a HMO I want them deported now… they came here illegally so they deserve to be locked up until they can be deported because if I enter a country illegally no matter the circumstances that’s what would happen to me.”
Geoff Osborne voiced deep political cynicism: “No one in the labour or conservative or the lib dems etc are listening. They don’t care. It’s ‘I’m all right Jack’—I have three houses my kids go to private school and don’t want to live among these evil people.”
Yet the conversation was far from one-sided. Several users condemned the tone and tactics of the protests. Lynette Xenia observed, “Most of the flag wavers I’ve seen on Southampton are not likely to be in employment looking at the state of them & listening to their incoherent ramblings… the last lot I saw were straight from a cartoon strip,” injecting skepticism about the movement’s composition.
Beth Rankine expressed horror at the racist undertones she witnessed: “Utterly horrified by what I’m seeing in parts of British society… They have made the flag of St George a symbol of vile division and hate. These people have no idea what WW2 was about or what Churchill fought for.” Gillian Jeffery argued that denying asylum seekers their fundamental rights “make Britain look selfish, cruel, greedy and hateful.”
Kirsty Varley provided a more nuanced perspective, pointing out that “this hotel is not full of illegal immigrants, it is full of people placed there who are awaiting housing by our housing system… Many are British born but homeless.” She noted that similar hotels across Southampton and Eastleigh have been used for the same purpose without attracting protests.
Elizabeth Stride defended peaceful protest, writing, “They’re voicing their concerns. They have every right to peacefully protest! When you’re not being listened to by a government what else is left?”
Amid the heated exchanges, some voices called for calm and community involvement. Sally Goodfellow urged, “So bored with this now 🙄. Yes you made your point now go spend your time giving back to your communities you’re trying to protect. Organisations in your communities are always looking for volunteers.”
Vron Knight suggested a collaborative approach: “Perhaps the Home Office needs to work with Councils, who should know their areas & where would be best to accommodate.”
Accusations of media bias and misinformation were rife. Andy Killick bluntly said, “Want be buying the Echo no more,” while Nancy Parker called the paper “such a bias paper, couldn’t be more left if they tried.”
Conversely, some commenters warned against misinformation and stereotypes. Mark J.T. Griffin posted a detailed rebuttal of common myths about asylum seekers, highlighting facts such as the legal right to seek asylum, the low level of benefits received, and the common misconception that asylum seekers take priority over British-born homeless people.
The comments revealed underlying social tensions. Some users expressed concern about community safety and the impact of immigration on local services. Shanica Kirby claimed, “Most of the people I’ve met are very concerned parents, grandparents… about these undocumented full grown men, that are raping our children.”
Others questioned the morality and effectiveness of the protests. Helen Highwater asked, “What’s the point of standing outside hotels and terrorising people that can’t do anything about what you’re shouting about?” Aimee Chetwynd lamented, “So we are represented by racists.”
The political blame game was loud and persistent. Paul Harris warned voters, “Don’t vote Labour in again bunch of clowns,” while Stephen Rogers optimistically predicted, “They won’t be there long when Nigel is primister [sic].”
As Southampton residents become more and more vocal regarding this issue it remains to be seen if the Daily Echo will rise to the challenge. Southampton Times understands Hampshire Police have now become actively involved with supporting the residents of Avondale Court but the Daily Echo is yet to mention or raise this issue.
