British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has condemned the migrant policy proposed by Reform UK, labeling it as “racist.” His comments come as he urges the Labour Party to unite against the rising populist party, which is led by Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage. Starmer’s remarks were made during the opening of Labour’s annual conference in Liverpool, where he emphasized the need for collective action against what he views as a dangerous political direction.
Starmer pointed out that Labour trails behind Reform UK in opinion polls, calling for party members to redirect their frustrations towards this emerging rival rather than focusing on internal conflicts. He stated, “We have got the fight of our lives ahead of us, because we’ve got to take on Reform. We’ve got to beat them, and so now is not the time for introspection or navel gazing,” in an interview with BBC News. The next UK election is scheduled for 2029, but Starmer is keen to establish a positive narrative for his party amid recent challenges, including the resignations of key figures.
The conference presents an opportunity for Starmer to rally support and address the criticisms he faces, particularly from dissenting voices within the party, such as Andy Burnham, the mayor of Manchester. Labour’s leadership is also under pressure from party members to reconsider its fiscal policies, especially with a critical budget announcement expected on November 26. Sharon Graham, head of one of Britain’s largest trade unions, Unite, has expressed concerns that the budget must reflect a shift in fiscal strategy. She remarked, “If that budget is essentially nothing … I think we’ve got a real problem on our hands, because without the money to make the change, then nothing is going to change.”
Starmer’s remarks about Reform UK’s immigration stance are particularly pointed. He affirmed that while he supports the removal of illegal migrants, he opposes the idea of deporting individuals who are lawfully residing in the UK. “It is a completely different thing to say we are going to reach into people who are lawfully here and start removing them … I do think that it’s a racist policy, I do think it is immoral,” he stated.
Recent polling data from Ipsos highlights the challenges Starmer faces, indicating that only 13 percent of voters are satisfied with his leadership, while a staggering 79 percent express dissatisfaction. This represents the worst approval rating for any prime minister since Ipsos began tracking this data in 1977.
As Labour seeks to redefine its position and address internal and external pressures, Starmer’s focus on combating Reform UK’s policies may be pivotal in rallying support and revitalizing the party’s image ahead of the next election cycle. The outcome of the upcoming budget could further influence Labour’s strategy and its reception among the electorate.
