Labour allies slammed Starmers immigration rhetoric. (Image: Getty)
Keir Starmer is facing fresh pressure from inside the Labour Party after allies at their annual conference in Liverpool attacked his immigration stance, branding deportation tweets “horrifying” and warning the party is chasing Reform’s agenda.
At a fringe event hosted by the campaign group Hope Not Hate, activists and Labour MPs criticised the leadership’s approach to migration, accusing it of pandering to the far-right.
One speaker said media concern about immigration was “superficial” and argued that coverage was “fuelling the far right.” Another said Labour’s attempt to boast about deportations was “horrifying” and accused the party of “literally running after Reform.”
Nick Lowles, CEO of Hope Not Hate said: “We cannot have a position where we’re literally running after Reform and this summer, Reform has set the political agenda… At worst, [Labour] followed up and I will say, look, I’ll say this, you’re a Labour politician. Me, I say horror. When I saw the Labour Party tweet after Nigel Farage proposed a policy potentially deporting 60,000 people, the Labour party tweet that went out minutes later is that he’s a talker and a moaner, we’re a doer, we’re the ones deporting people.”
Labour has recently used social media to push its allegedly hard line on illegal immigration.
On 10 August, Labour tweeted: “With Labour, foreign criminals will face immediate deportation.”
On 26 August, Sir Keir Starmer said: “If you come to this country illegally, you will face detention and return.”
On 28 August, he added: “Since we’ve come into office, we’ve returned more than 35,000 people with no right to be here… any attempt to reach the UK illegally will only end in failure, detention and return.”
These posts were condemned at Labour’s conference this year by supporters who accused the leadership of copying Nigel Farage’s rhetoric.
The Conservatives said the row showed Labour was hopelessly divided.
Chris Philp MP, Shadow Home Secretary, said: “Labour can’t even agree with their own friends on immigration. Starmer pumps out tweets about a handful of deportations, while his closest activist allies call it ‘horrifying’ and accuse him of dancing for Reform.
“Meanwhile, 94 per cent of illegal Channel arrivals are still allowed to stay. There is no deterrent, the only thing Labour are deterring is trust in their own government. Only the Conservatives have a clear plan in our Deportation Bill.”
Matt Vickers MP, Shadow Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire, said dismissing concern about immigration as “superficial” showed Labour was “arrogant and detached.”
He said: “People see with their own eyes the boats crossing the Channel, the hotels filling up, and the pressure on services. Dismissing that as a media obsession shows just how arrogant and detached Labour have become.”
2025 has already been the worst year on record for small boat crossings, with over 33,000 arrivals according to the Home Office. Since Labour took office, more than 56,000 people have crossed the Channel.
Labour has previously opposed Conservative measures such as the Illegal Migration Act and the Nationality and Borders Act, while Sir Keir Starmer has spoken in favour of free movement. In 2020 he said: “I will always defend migrants’ rights and make the positive case for immigration.”
Labour have been approached for comment.
The disagreement exposed at the conference illustrates the broader debate taking place within Labour over how the party should approach one of the most politically sensitive issues facing the country. While the leadership has sought to project a firmer stance on illegal immigration and border enforcement, many activists and some MPs argue that the party should place greater emphasis on humanitarian obligations, international law and refugee protection.
Political observers note that this tension has become increasingly visible as Labour attempts to respond to changing public opinion. Polling conducted by a range of organisations has suggested that immigration remains among the issues many voters consider most important, alongside the economy, healthcare and the cost of living. That has led ministers to emphasise border security and enforcement in recent months, while insisting that the Government also remains committed to providing protection for those with legitimate asylum claims.
For critics within the party, however, the concern is less about the objective of tackling illegal migration than the language used to communicate it. Several campaigners at the conference argued that political messaging should avoid rhetoric they believe risks reinforcing narratives associated with parties on the right. They contend that Labour should distinguish itself by focusing on practical reforms while maintaining a tone consistent with its broader values.
Supporters of the leadership reject the suggestion that adopting a tougher message necessarily represents a change in the party’s core principles. They argue that effective immigration control and compassion towards refugees are not mutually exclusive and that public confidence in the asylum system depends on demonstrating that immigration rules are enforced consistently.
Opposition parties have continued to seize upon Labour’s internal disagreements. Conservative politicians argue that the differing views expressed at the conference highlight uncertainty over the party’s long-term approach to migration. Reform UK has likewise maintained that neither Labour nor the Conservatives have adequately addressed irregular Channel crossings, using the issue as a central part of its political campaign.
The debate also reflects the electoral pressures facing Labour. In some constituencies, particularly those where immigration ranks highly among voter concerns, party strategists believe a stronger emphasis on border enforcement may reassure undecided voters. In other areas, however, MPs represent communities where many supporters favour a more liberal approach to asylum and migration, creating difficult political choices for the leadership.
Analysts suggest that this balancing act is likely to remain one of Labour’s most significant strategic challenges. Attempting to maintain support across a broad coalition of voters with differing priorities inevitably creates tensions over both policy and political messaging. Decisions intended to appeal to one section of the electorate may prompt criticism from another.
Looking ahead, immigration is expected to remain a prominent issue in British politics. Questions surrounding border security, asylum processing, legal migration, labour shortages and international cooperation continue to generate extensive public debate. How political parties respond to those issues—and how effectively they explain their approaches to voters—may play an important role in shaping future electoral outcomes.
While internal disagreements are common within large political parties, they can become more visible when policy areas touch on questions of identity, security and national priorities. The discussion at Labour’s conference demonstrates the diversity of views within the party and highlights the continuing challenge of reconciling those perspectives while presenting a coherent message to the wider public.