MPs need to tread carefully

Jul 19 2007 Liverpool Daily Post

IN ALL the heated debate about immigration in Britain, one subject has been strictly taboo: making an explicit link between immigrants arriving into this country, and the increased terrorist threat.

Now the outspoken Birkenhead MP Frank Field has blown a hole in that consensus, by becoming the first MP in the country to blame the failed bomb attacks in London and Glasgow on rising immigration into Britain.

He chastised political leaders for lecturing people on the need for vigilance, when it was those same ministers who had failed to be vigilant by letting in so many immigrants, some of whom had turned to terrorism.

Mr Field is an honourable man with many years’ service representing his constituents, and has never been afraid to speak his mind on this or any other subject.

At a time when so many MPs mechanically trot out the party line and are terrified of saying anything even remotely controversial, this is to be welcomed.

Nevertheless, people in public life need to be careful about the kind of language they use, particularly in relation to such a sensitive subject as immigration.

There is a danger that the remarks Mr Field made during a Commons debate could be taken out of context, misconstrued, or otherwise exploited by extremists who have none of his genuine concern.

This is certainly the view taken by, for example, the manager of Liverpool’s Asylum Link charity, who last night branded Mr Field’s comments as irresponsible and potentially dangerous.

There is also the possibility that Mr Field is plain mistaken, with the head of Merseyside police’s community relations team saying multi-ethnic and faith groups across the region had been overwhelmingly receptive to pleas for vigilance.

There is a serious debate to be had about immigration issues in this coun- try, and politicians should not be afraid to speak out on the subject. However, it is a complex matter that cannot be addressed simply by making emotive statements and sweeping generalisations.