When it comes to immigration, we all need to choose our words more carefully

Editorial: The government of a civilised country like the UK should be producing practical solutions rather than pre-election gimmicks designed to wrongfoot the opposition

9 March 2023 (Dave Brown)

The problem of people crossing the English Channel in small boats is real, and one that no UK government could afford to ignore. Public concern is genuine, and with reason: the number increased from 299 in 2018 to 45,756 in 2022, and could rise to 80,000 this year.

So Rishi Sunak was wise to make tackling the issue a priority when he issued his five pledges in January. However, he was unwise to reduce a very complex issue to a soundbite promise to “stop the boats”.

The apparently compulsory three-word slogans might help our politicians to communicate with the electorate, but they can easily boomerang. Few voters will think the Conservatives have honoured their post-Brexit promise to “take back control” of the UK’s borders.