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Sir Keir Starmer has acknowledged the historical missteps made by the left regarding immigration, emphasizing the need for his party to address all aspects of the issue. In an article for the Telegraph, the prime minister highlighted the challenges posed by the increasing popularity of Reform UK, which has forced both the Conservatives and the left to respond to the “rise of the populist right.” To combat illegal immigration, Sir Keir is set to unveil plans for a compulsory UK-wide digital ID scheme in a speech on Friday.
The government’s response comes in the wake of mounting pressure to address the issue, with over 50,000 migrants arriving on small boats since Labour came into power. In his article, Sir Keir admitted that left-wing parties, including his own, had long ignored people’s concerns regarding illegal immigration, allowing individuals to enter the country, work in the shadow economy, and continue to reside unlawfully. He called for a renewed focus on enduring British values, urging “fair-minded Britons” to reject the “toxic” solutions put forth by Reform.
Sir Keir also emphasized the importance of avoiding divisive online discourse, warning of a potential “violent struggle” ahead for the nation. He pledged to reject quick-fix solutions advocated by those seeking to sow discord and instead proposed empowering local communities. As part of their strategy to counter Reform’s electoral threat, Labour announced a £5 billion funding boost for 339 “overlooked” communities, with spending decisions to be made by local authorities who understand their communities best. This funding follows a previous commitment of £1.5 billion to 75 of the “most deprived” areas in the UK earlier this year.
Sir Keir is expected to defend his party’s immigration policies in his upcoming speech, attributing the issue of illegal immigration to what he perceives as the “Conservative government’s failure” during its 14-year tenure. The announcement has sparked criticism from Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who labeled it a “desperate gimmick” and accused Labour of using it as a distraction from internal leadership dynamics. Additionally, Reform criticized the plan as a deceptive maneuver to deceive voters about meaningful action being taken on illegal immigration. The Liberal Democrats, known for their role in blocking the previous Labour government’s ID cards, have expressed their opposition to a mandatory scheme
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