Politicians should treat high immigration as a success, not a failure

The net migration figure for 2022 has been announced as 606,000, less than expected but still a record.

But compared to the furore of 2016, immigration is less of an issue for voters than the economic risks of leaving the EU.

A more relaxed attitude to immigration could even be described as a rare benefit of the referendum.

Too often as a country in recent years we have subordinated our economic interests to other motivations. In the case of immigration, public opinion has moved to a more pragmatic position. Rather than react in horror to today’s numbers, our politicians should recognise and welcome changing public attitudes..