In a letter responding to Zoe Williams' criticism of Shabana Mahmood's recent language on immigration, David Holmes of Seaham, County Durham, argues that the home secretary's frustration is understandable and not indicative of extremism. Holmes contends that in today's polarised climate, progressives often dismiss any divergence on immigration as indistinguishable from Reform UK, which he says is simply not true.
Coarse Language, Genuine Concern
Holmes acknowledges that Mahmood's language may have been coarse, but he emphasises that her frustration stems from a longstanding public concern about immigration. He believes people should be able to disagree on migration and migrant rights without being labelled with lazy tags like "out-Reforming Reform" or having bigotry implied. "That's playing the man, not the ball," he writes.
Pressures on Communities
Holmes points out that the UK cannot act as a lifeboat for the world's destitute, and it is not inherently progressive to ignore the pressures that high levels of immigration can place on housing, schools, and healthcare. These pressures, he notes, are felt most in working-class communities, including many ethnic-minority communities, rather than in the more affluent areas where pro-immigration sentiment is often most visible.
He argues that wanting a well-managed, sustainable immigration system is reasonable. Progressives should recognise this and show empathy for communities that feel the strain. A credible system, he suggests, could reduce the political potency of the issue and help undercut the rise of the right—something that may well underpin Mahmood's approach.
