A newly appointed Conservative shadow home office minister has sparked controversy by claiming that parts of Luton have become “no-go zones” where “white people won’t go.” Blake Stephenson, the Member of Parliament for Mid Bedfordshire, made the remarks during a fringe event at the Conservative party conference, describing the town as “a very dangerous place” with communities living in what he termed “ghettoes.”

Stephenson, who represents a neighboring constituency and resides near Luton, said he was familiar with the area. He expressed concern about the town’s current state, which he contrasted with its past. “I think the town is a shadow of its former self,” he stated, adding that some neighborhoods were so unsafe that even the police acknowledged the dangers. He argued that the issues were reflective of a broader problem in several towns across the country, emphasizing the need for "deep levels of integration" to address segregation and social divisions.

His comments echoed previous assertions by far-right figures, notably Tommy Robinson, co-founder of the far-right English Defence League in Luton, who has also alleged the existence of “no-go zones” in the town. These claims have long been contested by local Muslim and Christian community leaders, as well as law enforcement officials, who reject the characterization of Luton as a place unsafe or inaccessible to particular groups.

Sarah Owen, the Labour MP for Luton North, strongly disputed Stephenson’s statements. She characterized the claims as “simply untrue” and urged the shadow minister to engage more with the local community rather than relying on social media narratives. Owen highlighted the positive attributes and diversity of Luton's population and called on the recently formed Lib Dem, Conservative, and Green coalition council to publicly distance itself from the remarks.

The Conservative Party did not provide an immediate response to requests for comment. The debate over the safety and social dynamics in Luton underscores ongoing tensions around community cohesion and political discourse in certain urban areas of the United Kingdom.