Labour leader Starmer acknowledges immigration concerns as UK tightens border controls

Keir Starmer acknowledged that Labour has “shied away” from tackling immigration and that the country has allowed illegal entry and work too easily, speaking at the Global Progress Action Summit in London. He said Labour must confront every aspect of illegal immigration and warned that relying on migration to fill workforce gaps is not a compassionate left-wing solution. The remarks mark a rare admission from the opposition leader as polls show Labour under pressure over border issues, including Channel crossings and the number of asylum hotels.

The remarks come amid growing backlash over how many people enter the country legally and then remain in the shadow economy. Starmer argued that his party must offer a credible alternative to the current approach, stressing that addressing illegal immigration is essential. He outlined what he described as a constructive, policy-led response to border controls rather than the political rhetoric that has characterized some debates on immigration.

In a broader frame, the Prime Minister has promoted a hard line on borders, announcing a rollout of mandatory digital ID cards intended to verify the right to work and reduce illegal employment. He argued that “the simple fact is that every nation needs to have control over its borders” and added that it is not compassionate to rely on labor that exploits foreign workers or undercuts fair wages. The government positions its policy as a clear choice between a politics of grievance and a patriotic renewal that seeks to rebuild the country from the ground up, inclusive of all communities.

Starmer’s comments came as his party’s stance on immigration has emerged as a defining electoral issue. He warned against online campaigns that he described as an “industrialised infrastructure of grievance” and said the discourse online can create a perception of an imminent, existential national struggle. He argued that some protest rhetoric in London—linked to debates over asylum housing—reflects a broader anxiety about security, identity, and economic opportunity. The Global Progress Action Summit is being hosted by a coalition including the Centre for American Progress Action Fund, Labour Together, and the Institute for Public Policy Research, and is framed as a platform for centre-left parties to articulate a progressive response to migration and labor market needs.

Both Labour and the Conservatives face pressure over immigration policy as the political landscape shifts around issues of border control, asylum processing, and the economic implications of high legal intake. Starmer’s remarks at the London summit are part of a broader effort to rebalance the party’s stance, balancing concerns about border security with a humane approach to asylum seekers. His Telegraph op-ed, written ahead of the event, argued for an alternative to Reform UK’s approach and signaled an ongoing attempt to redefine Labour’s position on immigration in a way that could appeal to voters who are frustrated by perceived inaction or inconsistency on border policy.

The timing of Starmer’s critique, alongside the prime minister’s emphasis on digital ID and border enforcement, underscores a key political dynamic: both major parties are attempting to demonstrate control over immigration while avoiding the perception that they prioritize political narratives over practical solutions. The question for voters remains how these policies would be implemented on the ground, how quickly changes could affect day-to-day life, and how the government would balance security with humane treatment of those seeking refuge. As the debate continues, protests near hotels housing asylum seekers and the broader public reaction to immigration policy will likely shape the political calculus in the months ahead.