It’s becoming more noticeable that the conversations and debates across the country are being influenced by the Reform Party.

The national conversation really is being driven by the immigration situation.

The issue surrounding this conversation isn’t just what is actually happening, but also how all the different meanings in the terminology of the debate have been mixed together.

It almost seems that economic migrants, illegal immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers have all been through in the same hat, mixed up and then certain fractions of this country treat them all as the same – and that has led the debate.

This is why Labour need to take control of the debates and lead them as they should as a government. I know the summer recess never helps governments and it allows opposition parties to lead the headlines, but now is the time to take control.

Show the country that the figures have improved. Those people who shouldn’t be here are being sent back and those in the hotels are also falling.

Yes there are genuine concerns, but it’s about time we had serious conversations. It’s about time we had realism and separated what we talk about into the actual categories.

It’s about time debates and conversations were led by facts, not just feelings and headlines.

Labour must step up – now is time to take control of the debate.