EXCLUSIVE: Lee Anderson said the poll underlined why people were turning to Reform UK, who he claimed were “the only party offering credible solutions to the illegal migration problem”.
Lee Anderson said the survey ‘proves what we already know’ (Image: GETTY)
Lee Anderson said Britons “have had enough” as he reacted to a new YouGov poll showing a majority of the public supports protests outside hotels housing asylum seekers. The survey comes amid growing demonstrations in towns and cities across the UK, where residents have expressed concern about the impact of accommodating asylum seekers in local hotels.
Mr Anderson, the Reform UK MP for Ashfield, told the Express in an assessment to the latest research: “This poll proves what we all know.” He continued: “Parliament is totally out of touch with the concerns of decent British folk. They’ve had enough which is why they are turning to Reform UK, who are the only party offering credible solutions to the illegal migration problem. The country is at breaking point and we will fix it.”
The YouGov survey, conducted this month, found that 54% of respondents believe the demonstrations are either “completely justified” or “somewhat justified,” while 34% said they are “somewhat unjustified” or “completely unjustified” and 11% undecided.
The data revealed a clear political split and offers a snapshot of public opinion on the UK’s asylum housing policy. Support for the protests was highest among Reform UK voters, with 95% saying they are somewhat or completely justified, followed by Conservative supporters on 78%. In contrast, only 35% of Labour and Liberal Democrat voters felt this way.
Protests have taken place outside several hotels temporarily housing asylum seekers in recent weeks.
In Epping, residents gathered outside the Bell Hotel, holding placards and voicing concerns about local services, safety, and a lack of consultation with communities.
The poll shows clear splits along party lines (Image: YouGov)
Similar demonstrations occurred outside the Britannia Hotel in London’s Docklands, where protesters blocked entrances and called for alternative accommodation for asylum seekers.
Other towns and cities have reported comparable protests, reflecting growing unease over the Government’s handling of temporary asylum housing.
Local councils have sought to balance legal obligations to provide accommodation with residents’ complaints about congestion, security, and strain on services.
Police have managed access and maintained safety during protests, though some hotel staff have alleged disruption and harassment.
Residents’ concerns, coupled with political divides, highlight the tension between national migration policy and local communities’ experiences.
Reform leader Nigel Farage pledged on Tuesday to deport 600,000 illegal immigrants if he became Prime Minister.
The survey was carried out by YouGov between 18 and 20 August 2025 and sampled 2,050 adults across the UK.
