With just two words, Opposition Leader Luke Foley made a monumental mistake that could haunt him until next year's March election, as long as he makes it that far.

Foley's colleagues were left horrified (at worst) and surprised (at best) when they woke up to their leader's words on the front page of Sydney's tabloid newspaper.

The connotations of the term "white flight" could not be defended.

His intended message was not the problem. He was arguing that some suburbs in the western suburbs were struggling under the strain of population growth. Too few jobs, not enough services, little support for schools trying to teach children who do not speak a word of English.