David Cameron's close ally Oliver Letwin: Our biggest immigration mistake was not challenging Ukip enough
Sir Oliver Letwin says 'we just accepted the line' that 'somehow migration was in itself a threat'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.British politicians have "made a terrible mistake" in failing to take on the argument about immigration, David Cameron's chief confidant has said.
Discussing the incendiary language used to discuss immigration and citing Ukip's "Breaking Point" poster as an example, Sir Oliver Letwin thinks mainstream politicians are to blame for the tone of the debate.
"We all, the Labour party and the Conservative Party alike ... made a terrible mistake, which was not to take on the argument about migration," he told The Times.
"We just accepted the line taken by some ... that somehow migration was in itself a threat. On the contrary, properly controlled migration enriches the country in every sense."
The former head of the Government's Brexit preparations said Prime Minister Theresa May must now do more to change the terms of discussion and challenge the xenophobic mood.
“I would like politicians on all sides to do that and I would like that to include the prime minister,” he added.
“What’s important is that ... we are talking about [immigration] in a balanced way and bringing in the advantages as well as recognising the pressures.”
He said Ukip exploited the failure of mainstream politicians to "put the counter-argument".
Mr Letwin has urged Ms May to drop the Government's appeal against a court ruling that parliament must approve the process to trigger Brexit.
He told BBC Radio 4 the Government should scrap the appeal and instead deliver a "fast and tightly timetabled and constrained bill" to parliament, which would allow the government to start the exit process quickly.
He said it would "avoid any risk of the Supreme Court deciding to accord the devolved administrations some rights or even some veto powers over the triggering of Article 50."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments