UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer vows to slash immigration levels as Reform UK gains significant ground in recent elections, threatening Labour’s political standing.
At a Glance
- Starmer promises to end “Britain’s failed experiment in open borders” following Reform UK’s significant local election victories
- Proposed measures include tightening rules across work, family, and study categories to create a “controlled, selective and fair” immigration system
- Net migration quadrupled post-Brexit with 37,000 Channel crossings last year, fueling public concerns
- Starmer pledges to bar foreign criminals and limit judges’ powers to block deportations
- Labour rejects hard caps on immigration while promising “significant” reductions by parliament’s end
Reform UK’s Success Forces Starmer’s Hand
Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a comprehensive overhaul of UK immigration policies in direct response to mounting pressure from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party. The hard-right party recently scored major victories in local elections, signaling growing public discontent with current immigration levels. Starmer’s new approach aims to address concerns about unchecked borders and strained public services that have fueled Reform UK’s popularity among traditionally Labour-leaning voters.
The Prime Minister’s plan represents a significant shift in Labour’s immigration stance, targeting reductions across all major entry pathways including work visas, family reunification, and student permits. This policy realignment comes as net migration has reached record levels despite Brexit promises to regain border control, with thousands continuing to cross the English Channel in small boats. Last year alone saw approximately 37,000 migrants make the dangerous journey across the Channel.
Reclaiming Control Without Hard Caps
Starmer has emphasized that his approach differs from previous failed Conservative attempts to limit immigration through arbitrary numerical targets. Instead, he’s proposing a more holistic tightening of the entire immigration system. While avoiding specific reduction targets, the Prime Minister left no doubt about his intentions to significantly decrease overall numbers, particularly rejecting the notion that immigration restrictions would harm economic growth.
“Every area of the immigration system — work, family, and study — will be tightened up so we have more control. We will create a system that is controlled, selective and fair.”, said Starmer.
In his Downing Street press conference, Starmer directly challenged the argument that immigration drives economic progress, pointing to recent years when Britain experienced both high migration levels and economic stagnation. He stressed the importance of investing in domestic skills and training programs rather than relying on foreign workers to fill employment gaps, positioning his approach as both economically sound and responsive to public concerns.
Tough Measures and Cultural Preservation
Beyond purely numerical reductions, Starmer’s plan includes barring foreign nationals with criminal records from settling in Britain and limiting judges’ powers to block deportations. These measures reflect a broader commitment to ensure that immigration aligns with British values and social cohesion. The Prime Minister warned against Britain becoming “an island of strangers” where communities are disconnected from each other, emphasizing integration as a key component of his approach.
While denying his policy shift was a direct response to Reform UK’s electoral success, Starmer’s timing suggests otherwise. The Prime Minister has left open the possibility of further restrictions, stating that if initial measures prove insufficient to “release pressure on housing and our public services,” additional steps would follow. This open-ended commitment signals Labour’s determination to prevent Reform UK from claiming exclusive ownership of the immigration issue that has dominated British politics since the Brexit referendum.