UK PM Starmer Faces Criticism for Immigration Speech Echoing Far-Right Rhetoric

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has faced significant criticism for his recent immigration policy speech, in which he vowed to overhaul the system to be more controlled and selective, warning that without change, the UK could become an 'island of strangers.' Critics, including members of his own Labour party, accused him of echoing the far-right and invoking language reminiscent of Enoch Powell's notorious 1968 'Rivers of Blood' speech, which warned that white Britons could become strangers in their own country. Starmer's rhetoric and policy proposals, including raising English language requirements and tightening visa conditions, have been described as a political pivot to the right, aiming to curb immigration significantly, with some seeing it as a betrayal of migrant communities and Labour's traditional values. However, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper defended Starmer, stating his remarks were fundamentally different from Powell's and emphasized the need for controlled immigration while recognizing migrants' contributions. The government's immigration White Paper seeks to reduce legal migration, prioritize UK workers, and fast-track residency for migrants demonstrating economic or social contributions, but it has sparked concerns over divisiveness and the normalization of anti-immigrant rhetoric. The controversy reflects broader tensions in UK politics as Labour responds to the rise of anti-immigration parties and public pressure to 'take back control' of borders.