Starmer’s migration speech compared to Enoch Powell after ‘island of strangers’ comment

The Prime Minister has doubled down on his comments

Yesterday saw Starmer unveil new policies to reduce migration in the United Kingdom, during which the Prime Minister made a speech about the often polarising topic.

Following this speech, many were quick to pick up on one particular phrase which Starmer used because of its similarity to a comment made by controversial politician Enoch Powell decades ago.

In particular, this phrase appeared to be borrowed from the very divisive 'Rivers of Blood' speech that Powell gave on 20 April 1968 to a meeting of the Conservative Political Centre in Birmingham.

Starmer began his speech talking about "the damage" the increase in migrant numbers has done to the country.

He added that public services were "under too much pressure," and that "our economy has been distorted by perverse incentives to import workers."

The specific comments made by Powell in his speech were that the British people had "found themselves made strangers in their own country" because of mass immigration.

The similarity between Starmer's comments and Powell's led to fellow party MPs criticising the Prime Minister.

Former Labour MP John McDonnell, who has had the Labour whip suspended, described the PM's comments as "shockingly divisive" and that his speech "reflected the language of Enoch Powell".

MP Zarah Sultana, who has also had the whip suspended, called said "imitating" Mr Powell's speech was "sickening".

Now, the PM's official spokesperson has said that Starmer "stands by his comments".

They told journalists: "The prime minister rejects those comparisons and absolutely stands behind the argument he was making."

He added: "It is right to say that between 2019 and 2024, the previous government lost control of the system.

"We aren't going to shy away from this issue. The British public expects the government to control this issue and get down the sky-high levels of immigration.

"We have welcomed immigrants for decades, but [immigration is] too high and must come down."

A source in the government said that the PM was not aware of any similarity with Powell's speech.

They said: "It was absolutely not a reference to Powell. The PM's speech was about the need for integration."

The Home Office estimates that the new measures will reduce annual inward migration by around 100,000 people.

The measures announced will see skill thresholds hiked as well as higher expectancy on English fluency.

The time for naturalisation will double from five to 10 years, while pettier crimes will potentially lead to deportation.

Meanwhile, graduate visas will be shortened to 18 months with new levies introduced on income generated from international students.

Furthermore, requirements for institutions sponsoring international students will be tightened.