In highly critical letter to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Ergin Erbil champions diversity of Enfield and says borough has been “shaped and strengthened by migration for generations”

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper (left) and Enfield Council leader Ergin Erbil (right)

Enfield Council’s Labour leader has written to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to express his dismay over the “divisive language” being used amid a government crackdown on immigration.

In rare criticism of the Labour government, Ergin Erbil’s letter appears to rebuke Cooper and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for “echoing” the rhetoric of those who “seek to sow fear and hate”.

Launching the government’s new white paper on immigration earlier this week, Starmer was widely criticised for saying Britain risked becoming “an island of strangers” following recent high numbers of people arriving in the UK.

The government says measures unveiled in the white paper will “reshape our immigration system towards those who contribute most to economic growth, with higher skills standards for graduates and workers”.

New requirements on employers to boost domestic training will “end the reliance on international recruitment, restoring order to a failed system”.

Net migration numbers quadrupled between 2019 and 2023 under the previous Conservative government.

In his letter responding both to the new white paper and Starmer’s and Cooper’s comments on it, Cllr Erbil wrote: “As leader of Enfield Council, I represent one of the most diverse boroughs in the country. Our communities have been shaped and strengthened by migration for generations. Enfield has welcomed people fleeing war, persecution, and poverty, and we are proud of the unity shown by our residents.

“Enfield has a proud history of welcoming people from all over the world who have made our borough their home. We are proud to be a strong borough with a diverse community, all working together to build a better future for our children. Our residents, partners, community and voluntary groups all come together to ensure a safe, welcoming borough that is at its strongest when we stand together for our shared values.

“Migrants play a key role in keeping our country going. They are vital to the strength of our economy, the running of our health and care services, the delivery of public services, and our schools. From staffing our hospitals and care homes, to building our roads, to contributing to improved services, business, and community life, their contributions are vital to our shared growth.

“We fully support the need for a fair, transparent, and effective immigration system – one that upholds the national interest, enforces clear rules, and safeguards individuals from exploitation. At the same time, we must stress that diverse communities like ours are often most affected by divisive rhetoric, and recent public discourse has sparked real fear and concern among many residents in Enfield.”

Cllr Erbil added that the new Labour government “was elected last year to deliver real change” and pleaded with Starmer and Cooper to focus on improving public services and the economy.

“It is vital that we lead the national conversation with our values at the core,” wrote Cllr Erbil, “rather than echo the divisive language of those who seek to sow fear and hate”.

He concluded: “The government must focus on a message of economic growth, opportunity, and unity – one that reflects the real contributions of all communities and moves the country forward.

“It is only by confronting division with these objectives that we can continue to make progressive change that will benefit us all.

“I urge you to reconsider the direction set out in this white paper. Enfield, and councils across the country, need a compassionate, evidence-based approach to immigration – one that values people for their contribution and humanity.

“We urge the government to reassure communities like ours at the earliest possible opportunity.”

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