Latest news with #speech
The Independent
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Starmer shares ‘deep regret' over divisive immigration comment after arson attack
Sir Keir Starmer expressed deep regret for using the phrase "island of strangers" in an immigration speech, admitting the language "wasn't right." In an interview with The Observer, the Labour leader said he was "not in the best state" to deliver the press conference, which took place hours after an alleged arson attack on his family home. The controversial phrase, used on 12 May, drew immediate comparisons to Enoch Powell 's divisive 1968 speech and sparked significant backlash. Sir Keir clarified he had no intention of echoing Powell's rhetoric and that neither he nor his speechwriters were aware of the potential interpretation. He took responsibility for not reviewing the speech more thoroughly, despite being shaken by the incident at his home.
The Guardian
8 hours ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Keir Starmer says he ‘deeply regrets' island of strangers speech
Keir Starmer has said he 'deeply regrets' a speech in which he described the UK as being in danger of becoming an island of strangers without tough curbs on immigration. The prime minister made the remarks in an interview with the Observer, saying he should have read the speech more carefully and 'held it up to the light a bit more'. The speech, delivered in May to unveil Labour's immigration policy, was criticised for seeming to echo Enoch Powell's infamous 1968 'rivers of blood' speech which had claimed Britain's white population would be 'strangers in their own country'. After the speech, Starmer's official spokesperson insisted the prime minister 'absolutely stands by' his language, including claims that mass immigration had done 'incalculable damage' to the British economy. However, speaking in the interview to his biographer, Tom Baldwin, Starmer said: 'I wouldn't have used those words if I had known they were, or even would be, interpreted as an echo of Powell. I had no idea – and my speechwriters didn't know either. But that particular phrase – no – it wasn't right. I'll give you the honest truth: I deeply regret using it.' In the interview, he talked about the firebomb attack on the door of his family home in London just hours before the speech. However, he stressed that he was not using the attack as an excuse for the language, or blaming his advisers, saying he himself should have paid more attention. Sign up to Headlines UK Get the day's headlines and highlights emailed direct to you every morning after newsletter promotion He also acknowledged there were 'problems with the language' in his foreword to the policy document that said the record numbers of immigrants entering the UK under the last government had done 'incalculable damage' to the country. He said it was the case that Labour had 'became too distant from working-class people on things like immigration', but said 'this wasn't the way to do it in this current environment'. In his speech in mid-May, Starmer said: 'Let me put it this way, nations depend on rules, fair rules. Sometimes they are written down, often they are not, but either way, they give shape to our values, guide us towards our rights, of course, but also our responsibilities, the obligations we owe to each other. 'In a diverse nation like ours … we risk becoming an island of strangers, not a nation that walks forward together.' Afterwards, several Labour MPs questioned whether Starmer's policies were fuelling racism. Sarah Owen, the Labour chair of the women and equalities committee, who is of Malaysian-Chinese heritage, said: 'Chasing the tail of the right risks taking our country down a very dark path. 'The best way to avoid becoming an 'island of strangers' is investing in communities to thrive – not pitting people against each other.' Nadia Whittome said anti-migrant rhetoric from the government was 'shameful and dangerous'. The Labour MP for Nottingham East said: 'To suggest that Britain risks becoming 'an island of strangers' because of immigration mimics the scaremongering of the far right.'
BBC News
14-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Scottish Conservative leader to deliver conference speech
Update: Date: 10:21 BST Title: Welcome Content: Good morning and welcome to our coverage of the leader of the Scottish Conservatives' party conference speech in Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh. Russell Findlay will shortly begin his keynote speech and we will stream it live here. It is due to begin at 11:15. Click on the Watch Live icon to follow it with us.
Free Malaysia Today
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Bersatu leader to enter defence to sedition charge
Razali Idris is standing trial on one count of sedition for remarks allegedly uttered at Padang Astaka Chukai in Kemaman on Nov 10, 2023. KUALA LUMPUR : The sessions court here has ordered Bersatu leader Razali Idris to enter his defence to a charge of uttering seditious statements in a speech two years ago. Judge Norma Ismail held that the prosecution had established all the ingredients of the charge against Razali, a Terengganu exco member. Lawyer Awang Armadajaya Awang Mahmud, assisted by Sahrilnizam Amin, informed the court that the defence would call between three and four witnesses to testify in Razali's defence. The hearing will continue on Sept 26. Deputy public prosecutor Badiuszaman Ahmad appeared for the prosecution. Razali is standing trial on one count of sedition for remarks allegedly uttered at Padang Astaka Chukai in Kemaman on Nov 10, 2023. He allegedly questioned the difference in treatment received by deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, after Zahid was conditionally discharged of 47 corruption charges. Syed Saddiq meanwhile was convicted of criminal breach of trust.
Daily Mail
07-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE 'Rachel Reeves looks exhausted. She can't deliver': Labour ministers drip poison to DAN HODGES on why the Chancellor is doomed... and tell the woeful reason she thinks it's all gone wrong
It was the expression that spoke for a nation. As Rachel Reeves delivered her speech on new transport investment, workers at the Mellor Bus factory in Rochdale appeared less than impressed. And when she embarked on a lecture about the Treasury Green Book, one increasingly desperate employee looked as if he was contemplating making a break for it and hurling himself into the River Roch. Asked at the end of her address what they thought of Reeves's announcement, one of his colleagues simply responded: 'My legs ache.'
