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Keir Starmer’s recent use of the Brexiteer slogan "take back control" during his immigration speech has raised eyebrows, given his previous stance on the EU. Once a vocal opponent of Brexit, the Prime Minister now appears to be adopting rhetoric and policies more commonly associated with the Conservatives and Reform UK.
During the launch of his new immigration White Paper at Downing Street, Starmer stated, “We will take back control of our borders,” warning that the UK risks becoming “an island of strangers” if action isn’t taken.
This is a significant shift from his past comments. In 2017, as a member of the Shadow Cabinet, Starmer praised immigration and emphasized the need to manage migration fairly, without suggesting caps on numbers. Now, he argues that current levels – nearly 1 million arrivals in 2023 – amount to “chaos,” comparing the influx to the population of Birmingham.
Starmer’s new tone is likely aimed at voters in "red wall" seats in the north and midlands, where Labour is losing support to Nigel Farage’s Reform party. Additionally, Labour is positioning itself as the party that can succeed where the Conservatives have allegedly failed in controlling borders.
But some question whether Starmer’s tough talk is genuine or just a calculated ploy to win over disillusioned voters – particularly given the contrast between his current stance and his previous, more immigration-friendly rhetoric.
