How’s this for a story to contrast the “Stop the boats” madness: my parents came to the UK in the 1950s, on a boat, from Holland. They had virtually no money. My father finished his theology studies (begun in Utrecht) and became a clergyman in Barry, south Wales. My mother earned pennies here and there, and looked after three children. When I was born in 1959, the Tory MP for Barry, Sir Raymond Gower, sent my parents a letter (on official House of Commons paper and personally signed) to congratulate them. I treasure this little oddity. I cannot but wonder what the likes of Suella Braverman, Priti Patel, Robert Jenrick, Rishi Sunak et al would make of such a thoughtful missive, suggestive of a kindness and welcome that is nowhere to be found in the Tory party of today.
Peter Kaan
Exeter
• Have an opinion on anything you’ve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
