Politicians have to do two things.

Firstly, reflect the views of their constituents as accurately and truthfully as they can.

Secondly, they have to apply their judgement and an element of leadership in informing political debate.

Generally the two duties overlap.

If not, MPs are at risk of being seen as out of touch, even a class apart or a disinterested elite.

The current debate on immigration is a case in point.

We know it’s one of the biggest concerns people have so politicians must talk about it and act.

I’m delighted therefore that the Prime Minister is actively examining options for reducing it in advance of his negotiations with the EU.

My view is that a points-based system has merit. People with skills we need would be admitted whilst those without are politely declined.

This could be implemented through the selective award of national insurance numbers but, if it is, measures would also have to be taken to deal with the risk of increased illegal migration.

Now, all this would go down like a lead balloon in Brussels where free movement of people as well as goods and services is a founding tenet.

However, the prospect of the UK quitting the EU, so-called Brexit, needs to concentrate European minds.

The increasing relative strength of Britain’s economy means that leaving would be a mortal blow to Europe’s already gloomy financial prospects.

However, what responsible, decent politicians must do is to avoid the pillorying of immigrants and the suggestion that they are the root cause of all our ills.

That’s unfair on them, potentially the cause of trouble in some communities and a distraction from taking action on the multifarious drivers of the UK’s problems.

On Friday my friend Bob Neill’s EU Referendum Bill was approved overwhelmingly in the Commons and will now continue its passage through Parliament.

If it completes its stages and is not repealed by an incoming Labour-led administration we’ll have our In/Out referendum in the next parliament.