SIR Keir Starmer has condemned Nigel Farage’s controversial migration plan as “racist” and “immoral,” intensifying his criticism of the Reform UK leader. The Prime Minister’s remarks came amid scrutiny of his own government’s management of borders, as he pledged to do “whatever it takes” to prevent illegal Channel crossings, reports BritPanorama.
During the opening day of the Labour conference in Liverpool, Starmer asserted that while he supports the removal of illegal migrants, targeting lawfully residing individuals represents a grave injustice. “It is one thing to say we are going to remove illegal migrants, people who have no right to be here. I’m up for that,” he told the BBC. “It is a completely different thing to say we are going to reach in to people who are lawfully here and start removing them,” he added, emphasising the integral role of these individuals within British society.
Starmer’s comments were framed as a response to Farage’s recent announcement that Reform UK intends to abolish indefinite leave to remain, a route critical for many legal migrants aspiring to full citizenship. This plan would compel countless lawful residents to reapply for visas under stringent new conditions. Among these conditions are high salary thresholds, restrictions on access to essential services including NHS care and benefits, along with rigorous English language requirements.
Reform MP Lee Anderson countered, stating that concern over government spending on illegal migration indicates racism among taxpayers. Starmer clarified that he does not equate concern with racism, blaming the dissatisfaction on years of Tory governance. He called the Reform policy immoral and insisted that it needs to be recognized for what it truly represents.
Recent polling reveals that Farage’s Reform UK party could potentially win 373 seats if elections were held immediately, granting Farage a Commons majority that surpasses Boris Johnson’s 2019 landslide victory. In this scenario, Labour would experience a devastating reduction to just 90 seats, its worst outcome since 1931, as the Conservatives plummet to fourth place behind the Liberal Democrats.
As immigration remains atop the agenda for voters, Prime Minister Starmer has faced increasing pressure regarding his own administration’s record on asylum seekers. He has promised to expedite asylum decisions, eliminate taxpayer-funded amenities such as taxis for GP appointments, and implement new digital ID cards to strengthen controls against illegal employment.
Starmer confirmed his commitment to efficient claims processing while noting an increase in removals for individuals found to have no legal basis to remain in the UK. Referring to plans on accommodation for asylum seekers, he pledged to expedite the timeline for ending the use of hotels for this purpose.
Concluding his remarks on taxpayer-funded perks, Starmer admitted, “It shouldn’t be happening. We will stop it immediately, as soon as we can, but we will stop it.” He reaffirmed his determination to employ all necessary measures to combat illegal migration.
