Starmer stays tough on immigration

A concerted effort to win Brexiteer votes seems to scapegoat migrants

"We must wean economy off immigration" warns Starmer. A hard line on immigration seems to be a clear effort by the Labour leader to appeal to Brexiteers. However, it does present a challenge to Labour’s more socially progressive supporters, especially when Sir Keir makes clumsy statements like: the NHS is “recruiting too many people from overseas”.

The ideology is not particularly different from Corbyn’s protectionism, but it is important that Starmer does not look to be scapegoating immigrants.

If Sunak had made these comments, he would certainly be labelled xenophobic, and Starmer simply doesn’t need to engage in this sort of rhetoric. He should instead actively advocate workers rights, and present a manifesto that would end migrant undercutting. And he definitely should not focus on the NHS, where support for migrant nurses is very high.

Perhaps a better top line would be something to the tune of: “a sustainable labour force, for a fairer, greener future”.