Suella Braverman Defends Immigration Stance Amid Political Backlash
Home Secretary Suella Braverman has stirred political controversy with her sharp criticism of multiculturalism and immigration policies, but remains composed and unapologetic as the storm around her intensifies.
Speaking ahead of the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, Braverman reiterated her view that uncontrolled migration and failed integration threaten British society. Her remarks in a recent speech in Washington — where she labelled multiculturalism as an “existential threat” — drew sharp criticism, including from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who praised the UK’s “fantastic multicultural democracy.”
Despite the rebuke, Braverman doubled down, insisting that integration has failed in parts of the country, with some communities living isolated lives and not embracing British values. “We need to be honest. Migration at the current scale is unsustainable. We have to put British people first,” she stated in an interview with The Mail on Sunday.
Her comments have sparked fierce reactions, particularly from public figures like Sir Elton John and Gary Lineker. Sir Elton called for compassion toward asylum seekers and accused Braverman of fuelling hostility, while Lineker criticised her for making unprovable claims. Braverman responded by branding them part of a “pampered elite,” out of touch with ordinary Britons facing real pressures due to illegal immigration.
She clarified that she does not resent wealth, but opposes the “hypocrisy” of the privileged lecturing the public on issues they aren’t directly affected by. “These people don’t have to wait in NHS queues or worry about affording housing,” she said.
Braverman also reaffirmed her support for tough policies on illegal migration, including potentially leaving the European Convention on Human Rights if it blocks the UK’s Rwanda deportation plan. She defended controversial remarks about refugees allegedly “gaming the system” through claims related to sexuality and gender, arguing that the public shares these concerns.
On her political future, Braverman denied any leadership ambitions, saying she is working closely with the Prime Minister to tackle illegal migration and win the next election. However, her growing profile and hardline views make her a prominent figure in any future leadership scenario.
Drawing from her own immigrant background — her parents arrived in the UK from Mauritius and Kenya — Braverman framed herself as a product of meritocracy. She warned that Labour’s plan to add VAT to private school fees would limit educational opportunities for aspirational families like hers.
She also referenced issues like grooming gangs in towns such as Rochdale, calling them an example of failed integration, and stressed the need for new arrivals to adopt British values of democracy and respect.
Despite facing criticism and online abuse, Braverman claimed she has received strong public backing for her stance and expressed confidence in the Conservative leadership’s efforts to address immigration. She believes progress on the Rwanda deportation plan, currently awaiting a Supreme Court ruling, will be pivotal.
Looking ahead to the next general election, Braverman cast Labour as a party of “open borders and rejoining the EU,” asserting that the Conservatives must prove they deserve a renewed mandate.
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