Letwin: losing liberal credentials?

Oliver Letwin has called for a cool-headed debate about controversial plans to detain asylum seekers.

In an interview with ePolitix.com, the shadow home secretary admits that "you always run all sorts of risks" when announcing radical reforms on sensitive policy issues.

His intervention came after the Conservatives announced plans to detain all asylum seekers for screening in a bid to stop terrorists entering the UK.

Asked if the policy could reinforce the party's "nasty" image, Letwin said: "I hope we won't, I hope we won't be castigated as nasty for saying these things - partly because I think people know that what we're saying is true, partly because the tone of voice in which we're saying it is calculatedly low key.

"We're trying to make it clear that we're earnest and we're rational and we're not trying to stir.

"But, you know, in the end you've got to stop worrying too much about how people see you and try and say the things you think are necessary and true. Otherwise, what's the point of being in politics?"

The Dorset MP is urging the media to conduct the debate on immigration and asylum in a "calm and rational fashion".

Said Letwin: "The media has a job to do, alongside those of us who are in politics. It's a job of two kinds.

"We've got to be willing to debate these tough issues, but we've also got to be willing to debate them in a calm and rational fashion and I've tried throughout, and I shall go on trying."

Mainstream politicians must address the legitimate concerns of middle Britain - or risk seeing a growth in support for parties such as the BNP, he warns.

"What we can't do as serious politicians, and I think the prime minister has been forced into recognising this too, is just sit here and ignore these legitimate concerns of decent sensible people, because if we do we give ground to the extremists, and they have nothing to offer us, the BNP has nothing to offer this country.

"We have to make sure in the mainstream parties that we're answering the legitimate concerns so that those extremists can't get purchase."