Starmer assails Reform UK ahead of Labour conference

Sir Keir Starmer arrived in Liverpool on Saturday for the Labour party conference and used the visit to sharpen a contrast with Reform UK, saying its policy to scrap indefinite leave to remain for many migrants would 'tear this country apart.'

Reform UK has proposed replacing indefinite leave to remain (ILR) with a visa-based system that would require migrants to reapply every five years, with a higher salary threshold and English-language requirements. ILR currently provides a route to citizenship and access to benefits. Starmer told the Liverpool Echo that these are people who have been in the country a long time, contributing to society, perhaps working in hospitals or schools, running businesses — our neighbours — and Reform says it wants to deport them in certain circumstances. The Labour leader called the policy a sign of divisive politics that would fracture the country.

Nigel Farage responded to Starmer’s comments, telling the Telegraph that the Labour leader’s language was 'a sign of total desperation' after Starmer described Reform as an 'enemy' in an interview with the Guardian.

During a question-and-answer session with teenagers at the Liverpool Echo visit, Starmer also insisted the government would not legalize cannabis and defended plans to lower the voting age to 16 in general elections, arguing that it is already allowed in Scotland and Wales and that the sky did not fall. 'It already happens in Scotland, already happens in Wales, and the sky didn't fall in,' he said.

Ahead of the conference, backbench MPs and unions renewed calls to end the two-child benefit cap, with several Liverpool MPs among those who wrote to Starmer urging that the cap be scrapped as a driver of child poverty in Britain today.

The Labour leader’s digital ID plan, revealed on Friday, is expected to face scrutiny at the conference as senior party figures outline a broader policy package. Officials say the digital ID would be part of a wider set of reforms, including a forthcoming tranche of what Labour describes as 'New Towns' to be announced at the event.