Sir Keir Starmer is set to urge Labour members to support necessary yet uncomfortable decisions surrounding migration, spending, and welfare cuts during his keynote address today, as he seeks to mitigate the ongoing small boats crisis in the English Channel, reports BritPanorama.
In a speech designed to silence critics within the party and the broader public, the Labour leader will assert that there is “nothing compassionate or progressive” about permitting illegal migrants to cross the Channel. Starmer’s remarks come amid rising pressure to deliver a convincing address at the autumn conference in Liverpool.
He intends to galvanize his party by emphasizing the importance of taking decisive actions to defeat the Reform party, highlighting that, “decisions that are not cost-free or easy” will be necessary for Labour’s success at the next election.
Starmer views halting illegal migration, enforcing fiscal discipline, and addressing Britain’s benefits bill as critical components for securing a second term in office. He will also position Reform’s leader, Nigel Farage, as a polarizing figure, asserting that his policies pose a threat to societal cohesion.
“Secure borders are also vital for a decent, compassionate country,” Starmer will declare during the conference.
Starmer
The Prime Minister will argue that controlling immigration is essential and that the current illegal trafficking of people on overcrowded boats exploits human desperation. He will pledge to take stern measures against criminal organizations, saying, “We will stop this. We will smash the gangs. We will crack down on illegal working.”
Crossings in the Channel have surged under Labour’s leadership, causing an increase in the use of asylum hotels and resulting in Reform taking a ten-point lead in some polls. Starmer’s assertions follow a strong show of support from Cabinet ministers, who backed his stance against Farage’s approach to migration, labeling it as “racist.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood set out her commitment during her own speech, indicating that she plans to revamp the rules surrounding “indefinite leave to remain,” extending the waiting period from five years to ten. Mahmood also stipulated that migrants will need to meet certain criteria, including proving employment status, paying National Insurance, and learning English to a proficient level to qualify for residency.
“In solving this crisis, you may not always like what I do,” Mahmood cautioned.
Mahmood
While these reforms aim to enhance control over immigration, concerns arise about retrospective application, especially regarding the estimated 1.3 million individuals who entered the UK during the post-Brexit migration wave. Legal experts anticipate challenges against any enforced changes that might contravene established expectations.
As the Labour Party seeks to reinforce its stance, Mahmood remarked on the necessity of tough decisions to challenge rising ethno-nationalism in the UK, calling for new forms of patriotism that align with Labour values.
In response to Starmer’s impending address, Conservative chairman Kevin Hollinrake criticized his leadership, arguing that despite the PM’s assertion of a “fork in the road,” his policies have led the nation into a “cul-de-sac of chaos,” exacerbating the challenges faced by families contending with increasing bills and taxes.
