Keir Starmer responded to Nigel Farage’s criticism of the Prime Minister for attacking Reform’s immigration policy, calling it “racist” and inciting the “radical left.”
Farage, feeling sensitive to critiques of his proposal to deport legal residents, claimed that such criticism would embolden the radical left and endanger his party’s campaigners.
In a lengthy outburst following the PM’s remarks at a Labour conference, the Reform leader defended his stance, labeling those advocating for the deportation of long-time residents as foes of national progress.
Disregarding Farage’s objections, the Prime Minister asserted his commitment to combating harmful political ideologies and stood firm in his stance against divisive policies.
In an interview with the Mirror, the PM clarified that his message was about a crucial choice for the country’s future between a unifying Labour government and divisive politics that could fracture the nation.
Meanwhile, Labour has shifted its focus towards criticizing Reform, with senior ministers taking aim at the right-wing party.
During his speech, the Prime Minister acknowledged public concerns about illegal migration but condemned Farage and his associates for proposing to strip legal migrants of their rights in the UK, crossing what he deemed a moral boundary.
He emphasized that displaying national pride should not be tainted by racist actions like targeting a Chinese business owner with discriminatory graffiti, and vehemently opposed the notion that individuals’ Britishness or Englishness could be questioned based on skin color.
The PM vowed to defend mixed-heritage families and long-standing residents who have contributed to the country, stating that anyone advocating their deportation would face strong opposition as they opposed the nation’s renewal.
The article also mentioned the availability of additional political content on Bluesky and encouraged readers to engage with the Mirror Politics team through various platforms.