More than 25 senior Christian, Muslim and Jewish leaders have written to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, urging him to adopt a more compassionate tone on immigration and warning that current rhetoric risks fuelling division.

The letter follows Starmer’s “island of strangers” speech and the release of the government’s immigration white paper. Signatories include 14 Anglican bishops, Imam Qari Asim, Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, and representatives from the Methodist, Baptist, Scottish Episcopal and United Reformed churches.

“Our concern is that the current narrative... will only drive public anxiety and entrench polarisation,” the letter reads.

“When you refer to the ‘incalculable’ damage done by uncontrolled migration, you are in danger of harming migrant members of our communities and strengthening those who would divide us," it continues. 

The leaders argue that many migrants have followed official rules, worked, and paid taxes, and that portraying their presence as unfair “feeds the politics of grievance.” Instead, they call for a focus on integration and community-building, stressing that shared experiences foster understanding and unity.

The letter, shared with The Guardian, was coordinated by the refugee charity HIAS+JCORE, which promotes humane refugee policies.

In response, No 10 said: “Migrants make a massive contribution to the UK... but the public expect secure borders and proper integration. The white paper aims to fix a broken system and restore public trust.”