British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called for unity within the Labour Party, condemning the rising populist party, Reform UK, and labeling its proposed migrant policy as “racist.” Starmer’s remarks came during the opening of Labour’s annual conference in Liverpool, where he urged members to focus their efforts on countering Reform UK’s influence rather than engaging in self-reflection about the party’s leadership.
Starmer emphasized the urgency of the political climate, stating, “We have got the fight of our lives ahead of us, because we’ve got to take on Reform. We’ve got to beat them, and so now is not the time for introspection or navel gazing,” as he spoke to BBC News. The Labour Party is currently trailing behind Reform UK in opinion polls, prompting Starmer to shift the party’s narrative as it prepares for the next general election, scheduled for 2029.
Recent weeks have been challenging for Starmer, as both his deputy leader and ambassador to the United States resigned. The conference presents an opportunity for him to rally support and address the frustrations of critics, including Andy Burnham, the mayor of Manchester, who has suggested the party needs new leadership.
Within Labour, there is growing pressure on Starmer and finance minister Rachel Reeves to increase public spending and reconsider fiscal rules aimed at balancing day-to-day expenditures with tax revenues by 2029. This comes ahead of a crucial budget announcement on November 26, 2023, which is expected to include tax increases. Sharon Graham, head of the Unite union, stated, “The budget is an absolutely critical point of us knowing whether direction is going to change.” She warned that without adequate funding, the party risks failing to deliver on its promises.
Reform UK’s core platform focuses on restrictive immigration policies, which resonates with many voters. In his address, Starmer highlighted the difference between removing illegal migrants and the potential for targeting lawful residents. “It is one thing to say we’re going to remove illegal migrants, people who have no right to be here. I’m up for that,” he remarked. “It is a completely different thing to say we are going to reach into people who are lawfully here and start removing them… I do think that it’s a racist policy, I do think it is immoral.”
According to recent data from polling firm Ipsos, only 13 percent of voters express satisfaction with Starmer’s leadership, while a staggering 79 percent are dissatisfied. This marks the lowest approval rating for any Prime Minister since Ipsos began collecting data in 1977.
As the Labour Party navigates these challenges, Starmer’s condemnation of Reform UK’s policies highlights the broader implications for the political landscape in the UK. The upcoming budget and party strategies will be critical in shaping Labour’s response to the rising popularity of Reform UK and its impact on migration policies.
