Labour MPs push Starmer to toughen migration policies amid Farage rise

In a significant political move, numerous Labour Party MPs have united to pressure Prime Minister Keir Starmer regarding migration policies to counter the rise of Nigel Farage's Reform UK party. This coalition has formed in response to the party's alarm over increasing public support for Farage's party, which finished second in 89 constituencies during the recent July general election. Concerned that Downing Street's approach appeared ineffective, these MPs aimed to highlight the urgent need for a more aggressive stance on illegal immigration, which they view as a crucial issue that could sway voters away from Labour and towards Reform UK. The pressure group calling for action includes members who have voiced dissatisfaction with the government's performance since Labour took office. Reports indicate that over 23,000 illegal immigrants have arrived in the UK via the English Channel within the six months following the last general election, a staggering increase compared to the previous year. Although the Labour government has taken measures such as deporting 13,500 migrants, this effort is perceived as inadequate against the backdrop of the estimated one million illegal immigrants residing in the UK. MPs assert that the narrative surrounding the government's achievements in combatting illegal migration needs to be conveyed more forcefully to the electorate. One prominent issue under review is the government's strategy for controlling human smuggling. Starmer's administration plans to tackle people smuggling operations that facilitate illegal crossings from France to the UK. However, they have resisted the approach proposed by Farage and the Reform Party, which advocates for returning migrant boats to France—a tactic successfully employed in Australia. This hesitancy has resulted in growing criticism directed at Starmer and the Labour Party, with Farage capitalizing on the government's struggles to create a stronger platform and garner more support within public opinion polls. As a response to the mounting pressure from Labour MPs, Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative Party, has initiated discussions around immigration, responding to her party’s concerns about the loss of voter support to reformist parties. In recent polling by YouGov, Reform UK reached 25 percent approval from the electorate, outpacing Labour, which received 24 percent, and the Conservative Party at 21 percent. Such shifts in public sentiment reflect frustrations with the current government’s immigration policies, prompting broader discussions about the effectiveness and direction of political strategies in addressing immigration-related issues.