Starmer says he regrets using 'island of strangers' phrase

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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has expressed regret over his previous comments about immigration in the UK, stating that he would not have used the phrase “an island of strangers” had he been aware of its potential impact. In a speech made in May, Sir Keir announced plans to reduce immigration, which some critics found divisive and reminiscent of Enoch Powell’s controversial speech on the topic back in 1968. Downing Street defended the prime minister’s remarks and clarified that he stands by his words, despite facing backlash from some of his supporters who labeled the comments as “weak” and “outrageous.”

During an interview with his biographer, Tom Baldwin, Sir Keir admitted to his regret over the choice of words and emphasized that neither he nor his speechwriters were aware of any resemblance to Powell’s speech. The interview was published in the Observer newspaper ahead of Sir Keir’s upcoming one-year anniversary as prime minister. Despite the backlash from his loyalists who criticized his actions as “outrageous” and “weak,” Sir Keir explained that the speech was delivered under immense pressure following an alleged arson attack on his family home in London.

Responding to the Observer interview, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage criticized Sir Keir, claiming that the prime minister’s admission of regret demonstrates a lack of beliefs and principles. Farage argued that the country needs a visionary leader, not someone who simply reads from a script. The comparison to Enoch Powell was initially made by independent MP John McDonnell in Parliament, who raised concerns about the language used by Sir Keir and its potential to incite division. Despite the criticism, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper defended the prime minister’s speech, noting that it was different from Powell’s and emphasizing the importance of focusing on policies rather than individual phrases

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