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Emigration and immigration

Starmer's Immigration Policies: A Shift to the Right, But with a Focus on Community Investment

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As Labour Party leader Keir Starmer unveils his new immigration policies, he faces criticism from both within and outside the party. Starmer's approach, which aims to drive down net migration to 300,000 by 2029, has been described as too harsh by some Labour MPs, while others argue it is a necessary step to address public concerns. Starmer's rhetoric, however, has also been criticized for echoing the language of the far right, with some accusing him of imitating Enoch Powell's infamous "rivers of blood" speech.

Key Takeaways:

  • Starmer's immigration policies aim to drive down net migration to 300,000 by 2029, with the goal of making the system "fairer" for British communities.
  • The Labour Party leader has been criticized by some MPs for pitching too far to the right in response to the rise of Reform UK and Nigel Farage's success among voters disillusioned with the political mainstream.
  • Starmer's rhetoric has been criticized for echoing the language of the far right, with some accusing him of imitating Enoch Powell's "rivers of blood" speech.
  • Labour MP Sarah Owen argues that investing in communities is the best way to avoid the UK becoming an "island of strangers", while Nadia Whittome criticizes the "shameful and dangerous" anti-migrant rhetoric from the government.
  • Zarah Sultana accuses Starmer of imitating Powell's speech, while No 10 officials argue that the prime minister believes more control is needed and there should be higher expectations for people arriving in the UK to integrate.
  • Focus groups have shown that voters are concerned about the scale of net migration and its impact on community cohesion, with No 10 arguing that the current system is not fair to British communities.
  • The Home Office shows that under the new immigration approach, there could be 100,000 fewer people entering the UK every year, with net migration potentially falling to as low as 300,000 by 2029.
  • Labour aides argue that the government is motivated by public opinion, but also recognizes that their electoral fate depends on bringing net migration numbers down dramatically.

Statistics:

  • Net migration was 728,000 in the 12 months to June 2024.
  • Official estimates by the Home Office show that under the new immigration approach, there could be 100,000 fewer people entering the UK every year.
  • The projections suggest net migration could fall as low as 300,000 by 2029.
  • Labour's goal of driving down net migration to 300,000 by 2029 represents a reduction of 428,000 people over a five-year period.

Sources:

  • "We must never accept the Tory or media narrative that often scapegoats and demonises migrants," Keir Starmer wrote in 2020. (Source: Keir Starmer's 2020 article)
  • "Problems of low pay, housing and public services are not caused by migrants -- they are caused by a failed economic model." (Source: Keir Starmer's 2020 article)
  • Labour Party's Immigration Policy: "We will make the system fairer for British communities, while still allowing people to come to the UK to work and contribute to our economy." (Source: Labour Party's Immigration Policy)
  • No 10 source: "The truth is that people are really concerned with high levels of immigration and we want to make the system fairer." (Source: No 10 source)
  • Rachel Reeves, Chancellor: "On a trip to Washington in May 2023, she made a speech setting out a British version of Bidenomics, echoing the former US president's language on economic nationalism." (Source: Rachel Reeves' speech in Washington, May 2023)
  • Office for Budget Responsibility: "Migration is a net positive to the economy over a five-year period." (Source: Office for Budget Responsibility report)

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