Suella Braverman may have a point about immigration but her language needs to be more measured - Daxa Patel

I share the sentiment that perhaps we are seen as the best and the most common destination for those seeking refuge but should we not give support to those in need?

While I think more needs to be done to deter the risky transportation of illegal immigrants at the mercy of gangs who facilitate this at a high cost, including the cost of lives, I do agree that we can, and must close the gaps but also be humane. An influx of people coming here does have a knock on effect on our health services and other public services.

I am conscious that I am the daughter of an economic migrant; however, my father came to this country legally. I am not oblivious to the opportunities I have had and continue to have because my father was able to settle here, and because this is the country of my birth. I also cannot disregard the crisis in our public sector and the plight of those here who struggle to make ends meet.

We have a duty to our fellow citizens to take sensible, fair and legal steps to control our borders. The Home Secretary’s father came from Kenya, and our Prime Minister shares the same ethnic background as me, but the choice of words in conveying why they are doing what they are doing is interesting.

Anyone observing our Prime Minister restoring relations with Europe and France will know, his language is warm and measured.

The Home Secretary really needs to take a leaf out of her leader’s book, and be equally measured. I agree with the changes proposed, though I appreciate that there are question marks as to the right of appeal, which cannot be made until the person in question has left our country.

Following on from what the Home Secretary said in the context of this Bill, we witnessed a ‘row’ between Gary Lineker and the BBC. Of course, the BBC are right to preserve their impartiality but I do feel they are selective in pursuing that.

Words used in Mr Lineker’s social media were seen as being anti-government. It is right for a celebrity to express their opinions and in this case, he said what many felt.

In both these cases, the language and words used mattered because there were repercussions. The time spent stopping BBC licence payers from watching football coverage and the energy deployed by the many TV news providers debating this, is time and energy that could have been better spent.

I grew up hearing my dad say to me many times, it is not what you say it is the way you say it.

As a lawyer I know sometimes I have to give news my clients do not want to hear, but my job is to soften the blow and be honest. It is possible.

Daxa Manhar Patel is a solicitor, author and executive coach.