Suella Braverman's attempt to criticise the Conservative government over mass immigration backfired on BBC Question Time, as the audience erupted in laughter and two panelists reminded her of her own role in that government.
The Reform UK education spokesperson was on the panel in Tottenham alongside Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh, Conservative shadow business secretary Julia Lopez, and journalist and podcaster Oli Dugmore. The first topic concerned making immigrants feel welcome, and Braverman used the opportunity to discuss her family history and her views on immigration.
Backlash over government record
Braverman said she does not describe herself as of English origin, stating: "I think it becomes pretty obvious when people have a lineage, an ancestry, a connection to the heritage to this country which dates back a few generations. I think that that is not unreasonable to expect of people who come to this country."
She added: "Can I deal with the point on border immigration because I think this is a really important question. And actually the question about Englishness has arisen because of the utter failure by the Conservative government on mass immigration."
Fahnbulleh responded: "You was in the conservative government Suella," while Lopez rolled her eyes and uttered "Home Secretary." The crowd clapped and laughed at the exchange.
Braverman defends her record
Braverman replied: "Thank you for raising that, it is the very reason I left the Conservative party because they utterly betrayed the British people on their promises on legal migration. I battled from within for years to cut visas and I was blocked."
After the show, Dugmore wrote on X: "Tonight on Question Time, I debated Suella Braverman on what it means to be English. I think there's one word for her position." Braverman responded at length, writing: "You've called me racist this evening- albeit in a contorted way- but in doing so, you've lowered the tone of the debate with divisive and inflammatory language. And absurdly, you're suggesting that I'm being racist against myself. It's because of irresponsible language like yours that we in Reform need security. The left can keep smearing us as racist for challenging the cosy consensus on mass migration but we will not be bullied into silence."
BBC Question Time returns next week to Peterlee.
