Shabana Mahmood’s frustration with immigration debate is understandable

Shabana Mahmood and French police officers at a presentation of resources used to counter illegal immigration, at Zuydcoote, near Dunkirk, on 23 April 2026. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/AFP/Getty Images

Zoe Williams criticises Shabana Mahmood’s recent language as showing “contempt for the values of her own party”, but I disagree (Shabana Mahmood’s expletive was shocking. But not for the reason you think, 23 April). In today’s polarised climate, too many on the progressive side treat any divergence on issues like immigration as indistinguishable from Reform UK. That simply isn’t true.

Mahmood’s language may have been coarse, but her frustration is understandable. People should be able to disagree on migration and migrant rights without being dismissed with lazy labels like “out-Reforming Reform” or having bigotry implied. That’s playing the man, not the ball.