Keir Starmer’s “Island of Strangers” speech and the new immigration white paper are the wrong responses to Reform UK.
His speech echoed the language of the far right to demonise migrants and refugees. But those coming here on small boats didn’t cause the cost of living crisis, the NHS funding crisis, or the housing crisis.
We should be pointing the finger of blame at where it belongs, rather than at the most vulnerable in society.
He is conceding to Reform UK’s anti-migration agenda. Many of the proposals won’t work and will cost Labour votes.
The recent elections and many polls indicate that Labour is losing many more votes to the Greens and Lib Dems than to Reform UK.
In order to win over these more progressive voters and defeat Reform UK Labour needs to adopt refugee and migration approach that upholds basic human rights and dignity.
We are going to resist the scapegoating of migrants and refugees whether it be from Reform UK, Tory or Labour.
🚨 Standing up to the far right means confronting racism – not pandering to it. Read our statement in response to Starmer’s speech and the white paper ⬇️#StandUpToRacism pic.twitter.com/IERggTWQGT
— Stand Up To Racism (@AntiRacismDay) May 12, 2025