British foster parents lose children because of membership in anti-immigrant party

The U.K. Independence Party may espouse some extreme positions — some of its elected members have stated their belief that the EU is exporting a "Marxist revolution" to Britain — but should membership in the party disqualify parents from adopting foster children? That’s what recently happened in the city of Rotherham: The foster parents say ...

By , a former associate editor at Foreign Policy.

The U.K. Independence Party may espouse some extreme positions -- some of its elected members have stated their belief that the EU is exporting a "Marxist revolution" to Britain -- but should membership in the party disqualify parents from adopting foster children? That's what recently happened in the city of Rotherham:

The U.K. Independence Party may espouse some extreme positions — some of its elected members have stated their belief that the EU is exporting a "Marxist revolution" to Britain — but should membership in the party disqualify parents from adopting foster children? That’s what recently happened in the city of Rotherham:

The foster parents say "no discussions" took place between them and the council prior to the children’s removal.

The children – who are European migrants – were removed by social workers who accused the unnamed couple of belonging to a "racist party".

Council leader Roger Stone said it was launching an immediate investigation.

The BBC understands that the three children are all under 10 and one is a baby.

Council leader Roger Stone said it was launching an immediate investigation

 

The UKIP favors a five-year freeze on immigration, cuts to benefits for new arrivals, and an end to state-sponsored efforts to promote multiculturalism, so it is perhaps a little surprising that members of the party would be interested in adopting non-British children..

That said, the parents claim to have been sensitive to their children’s needs — finding a religious school for one of them, and encouraging them to speak their native language and there’s no evidence — at least from the media coverage so far — that the children were mistreated in any way.

The case is a bit reminiscent of last year’s story of a New Jersey couple who lost custody of their (biological) children, Adolf Hitler Campbell, JoyceLynn Aryan Nation Campbell and Honszlynn Hinler Jeannie Campbell. Of course, in that case there were other causes for concern for the children’s welfare other than the names, and the UKIP — whatever you think of their positions — are certainly not Nazis: they have 12 seats in the European Parliament.

There seems to be pretty widespread agreement that this was serious overreach on the council’s part and the British education secretary has called the children’s removal "indefensible".

Joshua Keating was an associate editor at Foreign Policy. Twitter: @joshuakeating

More from Foreign Policy

Newspapers in Tehran feature on their front page news about the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, signed in Beijing the previous day, on March, 11 2023.
Newspapers in Tehran feature on their front page news about the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, signed in Beijing the previous day, on March, 11 2023.

Saudi-Iranian Détente Is a Wake-Up Call for America

The peace plan is a big deal—and it’s no accident that China brokered it.

Austin and Gallant stand at podiums side by side next to each others' national flags.
Austin and Gallant stand at podiums side by side next to each others' national flags.

The U.S.-Israel Relationship No Longer Makes Sense

If Israel and its supporters want the country to continue receiving U.S. largesse, they will need to come up with a new narrative.

Russian President Vladimir Putin lays flowers at the Moscow Kremlin Wall in the Alexander Garden during an event marking Defender of the Fatherland Day in Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin lays flowers at the Moscow Kremlin Wall in the Alexander Garden during an event marking Defender of the Fatherland Day in Moscow.

Putin Is Trapped in the Sunk-Cost Fallacy of War

Moscow is grasping for meaning in a meaningless invasion.

An Iranian man holds a newspaper reporting the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, in Tehran on March 11.
An Iranian man holds a newspaper reporting the China-brokered deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore ties, in Tehran on March 11.

How China’s Saudi-Iran Deal Can Serve U.S. Interests

And why there’s less to Beijing’s diplomatic breakthrough than meets the eye.