Starmer admits he 'deeply regrets' his 'island of strangers' immigration remark
Keir Starmer said he and his advisors were unaware of similarities between his words and Enoch Powell's vile Rivers of Blood speech - saying he said it hours after his family home was targeted by arsonists
Keir Starmer has said he "deeply regrets" warning the UK was at risk of becoming an "island of strangers".
The PM made the remark in a press conference just hours after his family home was attacked by arsonists. The words sparked a fierce backlash amid comparisons to notorious Tory racist Enoch Powell, who said white people were set to become 'strangers in their own country' in 1968.
In an interview with The Observer, Mr Starmer said he would not have used the phrase if he or his advisors were aware of the similarities. He said using the words "wasn't right" and conceded: "I'll give you the honest truth: I deeply regret using it.'
The PM admitted he should have read through the speech more carefully and 'held it up to the light a bit more' before delivering it. He said he was "really, really worried" after the arson attack, and his wife Vic was "really shaken up" - prompting him to consider calling the press conference off.
READ MORE: Tory MP launches astonishing attack on Kemi Badenoch after staggering Commons blunder
He said he just wanted to "get back" to his loved ones as quickly as he could as he unveiled a white paper setting out plans to drive down net migration. The PM recounted: "It's fair to say I wasn't in the best state to make a big speech."
But he said the fault was his own, stating: "I wouldn't have used those words if I had known they were, or even would be interpreted as an echo of Powell."
The PM also accepted there were 'problems with the language' in his foreword to an immigration white paper which said the high level of arrivals had done "incalculable damage" to the country.
In the days that followed the PM was accused of making "shameful" remarks. Labour peer Alf Dubs, who fled the Nazis as a child, said: "I'm unhappy that we have senior politicians who use language which is reminiscent of Powell, and I'm sorry that Keir Starmer used some of the phrases that you've just quoted.'
Three men have been charged over the attack on the PM's family home in North London, which was being rented by the PM's sister-in-law and her partner. Mr Starmer said it could have been a "different story' if his wife's sister had not been awake and able to call the fire brigade.
Ukrainian nationals Petro Pochynok and Roman Lavrynovych, as well as Ukrainian-born Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc are accused of conspiring to endanger life. In the days before the attack on the PM's family home, a flat he had previously lived at and a car close to his home were also targeted.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
16 minutes ago
- The Independent
Rod Stewart comes out in support of Reform UK
Rocker Rod Stewart has publicly endorsed Nigel Farage and the Reform UK party, urging his fans to give Farage a chance. Stewart expressed dissatisfaction with the current government and criticised Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer 's new Brexit deal, stating he is also 'fed up with the Tories'. He said Farage is coming across well as a political option for the UK. Stewart's current support for Farage contrasts with his 2024 criticism of the politician for blaming the West for the war in Ukraine. Stewart has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine since the conflict began, even renting out a home for a refugee family.
The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
I think Keir Starmer's ineptitude here takes some beating
Sir Keir Starmer pays for that first challenge through reputational damage. We will all pay for the second challenge through other spending curbs and possible tax hikes. I have covered politics for the odd decade. I have witnessed missteps aplenty by leaders from each and every political party. However, the ineptitude displayed here takes some beating. Read More: Consider the PM's demeanour. There he was at the NATO summit, promising a substantial increase in defence spending. Which, in itself, leaves some Labour MPs disquieted. Asked about the growing insurrection over cuts to disability payments, he dismissed the complaints as 'noises off'. Cue yet more anger from discontented backbenchers, furious that their genuine concerns for the disadvantaged were downplayed in such a fashion. Then, inevitably changing tack, he conceded on Thursday that there would be talks with the dissidents, aimed at achieving a settlement in line with 'Labour values of fairness.' The rebels duly entered those talks. But many were privately asking themselves what happened to those 'Labour values' when Ministers proposed a package of reforms which their own official advisers said would push a quarter of a million people into poverty, including 50,000 children. For pity's sake, what did Sir Keir and his Cabinet think the reaction would be to such a forecast? Meek acquiescence? In viewing this spectacle, I could not help thinking of Neil Kinnock's 1985 conference speech, condemning Militant, when he summoned up 'the grotesque chaos of a Labour council – a Labour council – hiring taxis to scuttle round a city handing out redundancy notices to its own workers.' Change the accent, excise the oratory and you have Keir Starmer heading a Labour government – a Labour government – driving people into poverty with cuts in disability support. Sir Keir has now performed a hat-trick of U-turns. On winter fuel payments, on a statutory inquiry into grooming gangs – and on welfare. This is by far the most substantive. Can he come back from this? He can – although there is a much shorter electoral timetable in Scotland. But, still, it makes us revisit basic questions about his leadership. Firstly, last July's big Labour win is not solely or even chiefly down to him. He entered Downing Street because folk were heartily sick of the Tories – and sought a conduit to kick them out. As things stand, Reform seem to be offering an alternative for those who have broadened their disgust – and are utterly sick of established politics, full stop. Secondly, with some exceptions, the team around him have failed to shine. Including the Chancellor. Was there really nobody to suggest gently that the emperor was somewhat short of bodily cover on the benefits issue? Were they, perhaps understandably to some degree, so engrossed in global crisis that they failed to notice – or, rather, sufficiently address – the concerns of their backbenchers over the most distressed and disadvantaged of our citizens? Thirdly, and ironically, the very weakness of the Conservatives adds to Sir Keir's problems. To be blunt, he has nothing to beat. Relatively little is required of him in the Commons or in public discourse. Finally, those Labour values. When you contemplate Sir Keir, do you really summon up principles such as egalitarianism and fairness? Yes, you will know of his upbringing, His mum, the nurse. His father, the toolmaker. He told us often enough. But do values of commonality and collective endeavour shine through from him? I get the concept. He took over from Jeremy Corbyn and felt obliged to stress that Labour had moved from the Left, had changed – and would, consequently, change the country. On assuming office, Rachel Reeves felt the need to assuage the markets with a balanced budget. Hence the stress she placed upon curbing winter fuel payments. For a Labour Chancellor, it was deliberately counter-intuitive. Again, I get it. In due course, they backed down on winter fuel. And the cuts to disability benefits went too far for their party. Way too far. And for the voters. By chance, I chaired a conference on the issue in Glasgow this month. Two things stood out. Deep, genuine apprehension over the benefit cuts. And entrenched distrust over the package of support for getting jobs. Labour know they got this badly wrong. The emphasis on job creation needed to come first. The cuts needed to be moderated. Both will now happen. Sir Keir will insist that reform is still on track. However, this has been a fundamentally damaging episode for the PM. I understand the motivation. The desire to be fiscally cautious, to generate funds for spending in other quarters. But this was the wrong target, introduced in the wrong way. No doubt temporarily, Sir Keir seemed to forget which party he was leading – and in which legislature. He is Prime Minister, primus inter pares, completely dependent upon Commons votes. Not a dismissive, stand-alone President. Those were not 'noises off'. They were concerns voiced by his backbenchers, his supporters, the bulwark of his power. Then there is Scotland. Where former Labour Minister Brian Wilson, writing in The Herald, urged a rethink to avoid 'a deep and lasting split'. Where former MSP Neil Findlay questioned the sanity of Labour MPs – while warning that their chances of re-election would be reduced, not enhanced. Where the Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar was left stranded. Backing the principle of reform – while urging 'fairness'. In practice, as his MP colleagues made up their minds, his influence appeared minimal. He was duly lampooned by John Swinney at Holyrood – as the SNP cited figures indicating that child poverty is down in Scotland, by contrast with England and Wales. There is a way back for the PM. There is almost always a way back. But this has been deeply, deeply damaging. For Sir Keir Starmer, never glad confident morning again. Brian Taylor is a former political editor for BBC Scotland and a columnist for The Herald. He cherishes his family, the theatre – and Dundee United FC
Belfast Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Ireland's media watchdog defends €500,000 funding of ‘Kneecap' film as Belfast rappers prepare for Glastonbury gig
Irish media regulator boss has defended his decision to give nearly half a million euro (£427k) in funding to Kneecap's film. The Belfast rap trio will take to the stage at Glastonbury this afternoon, despite opposition from UK prime minister Keir Starmer who said he did not feel it was 'appropriate' given the current court case against band member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh.
