Michael Dobbs: A Brexit built on friendship not fear and abuse

We condemn the outbursts of intolerance – of course we do. However, much of the blame rests squarely on the shoulders of a political establishment that, for 20 years, has chosen largely to ignore the problem.

The Left shouted down anyone who wanted to discuss the issue, accusing them of being racist while we on the Right offered up glib, implausible promises. How did we, as Conservatives, expect ordinary people to react when at one moment we promised to reduce immigration to tens, not hundreds of thousands – no ifs or buts – and only a year later delivered a net total in a single year of 330,000? We share the blame.

I wept when I saw that dreadful referendum poster of refugees. Is it their fault? No, it is not theirs. The fault lies with us. We have been sleeping comfortably with our consciences and have slept too long. As a result, today millions of people who are legally and properly settled in Britain are afraid, uncertain of what we might do with them and to them. They do not deserve such uncertainty. At times politics requires us to climb into bed with some pretty uncomfortable bedfellows. In the case of Vote Leave, dare I suggest that some of my fellow campaigners forgot to take off their boots?

This referendum was about freedoms and tolerance, not just for a few but for us all. It was about the British sense of fair play and flexibility – nothing to do with racist bullying and kicking out minorities.

It was about moving forward, not about retreating to dark old days of an island surrounded by stormy seas. Above all, it was about respect – respect for the wishes of the people, which requires respect for others, no matter what their origins, their colour or their accents.

The Government has said that it would be unwise to offer assurances to immigrants already here without parallel ​assurances from other European Governments. What are they saying? Is offering assurances unwise? No, it is far from it. It would be an act of humanity, of friendship and of leadership. After all, what was Brexit about if not establishing a sovereign independent Government capable of making up their own mind?

We do not need anybody else’s permission. Those days are gone. It is our choice, so I want to press the Government and all those who have ambition to lead the Government for clear assurances that EU immigrants already living lawfully in this country need have no fears. They are welcome and will continue to be.

What are we to have, for pity’s sake? Are we to have mass transportations like we have seen in the Balkans, with vast lines of mothers, bewildered babes in arms, crossing the Channel in different directions? That is the way of madness.

It is worth repeating that these people are not bargaining chips, least of all hostages. They are our neighbours and our friends.

We Conservatives are not, dare I say it, the “nasty party” and we must not become one. Any future Government which tried to introduce legislation to send back legally settled immigrants would be out of their mind and soon be out of office – otherwise we would lose our sense of decency. We would lose the superb support that we enjoy in our Health Service, in our care services, in the contributions 
we get in every street of every town in every corner of the country – and not least, the superb service we get in our own dining room. Ministers please take note: it is not going to happen; get on with it.

What will happen? It is in no one’s interest that we should be cut off from the EU. We are, and still will be, all of us, Europeans. There is no reason why that relationship should not be warm and productive, but I urge the EU in its own interests to find a better means of dealing with this crisis than through its unelected president. I do not wish to personalise this, but if it had not been for President Juncker’s conduct and exquisitely clumsy commentaries, I think that Remain would have won.

This will and must be a political process, balancing the rights of the UK and the rights of the EU – a process that requires vision and is run not by bureaucracy but by elected politicians, those who can feel the hot breath of the people on their necks. That means above all Frau Merkel, who, more than any other person, holds the future of Europe in her hands. I would say this to her if I could.

If not union, then alliance. If not as one, then at least together. If we are no longer bound by law, then let us be bound by bonds of overwhelming friendship. We have a mountain to climb, but the view from the summit might yet prove awesome.

• Michael Dobbs is author of the House of cards series and a Conservative peer who backed Brexit. He spoke in a Lords debate on the EU referendum. This is an edited version.