Keir Starmer has been in office for two years (Image: Getty)
More than 76,000 small boat migrants have arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel during Sir Keir Starmer’s tenure in No 10 – a higher number than under any other prime minister. New figures exposed Labour’s failure to control our borders, as Sir Keir marked his second anniversary as Prime Minister.
He entered Downing Street on July 5, 2024, the day after the General Election, and delivered a triumphant speech promising “secure borders” as part of a mission to “rebuild Britain”. But as Sir Keir prepares to make way for incoming prime minister Andy Burnham, Conservatives accused him of presiding over “a disastrous two years”. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “Far from smashing the gangs, smuggling bosses are living openly in the UK and are claiming asylum.
“Labour have been a disaster in two years, and as the prospect of Andy Burnham rears its head over the horizon, there is little chance the situation will improve.”
Official figures show 76,598 illegal immigrants crossed the Channel since July 4, 2024, an average of 105 every day.
Labour has also released an estimated 82,000 offenders early, after serving 40% of their sentence rather than 50%, under an emergency scheme to reduce prison overcrowding called SDS40, introduced in September 2024. It meant 113 prisoners a day were freed early for every day Sir Keir has run the country.
Nick Timothy, Shadow Justice Secretary, said: “It is a betrayal of victims, many of whom have not been properly informed about the release of those who have committed crimes against them.”
More than 500,000 Brits are also believed to have fled the country while Sir Keir was Prime Minister, according to a dossier published by Conservatives. It showed 251,000 British nationals emigrated from the UK in the first 12 months of the Labour Government, suggesting 502,000 British nationals will have left the country over the two-year period.
But Labour paid tribute to Sir Keir on the anniversary of his premiership. Anna Turley MP, chairwoman of the Labour Party, said: “The decisions we have taken have not always been easy, and we know there’s much more to do, but Labour will always do what is in the best interests of the British people.
“Today, the economy is growing, wages are rising, NHS waiting lists are falling, immigration is down, and Britain is moving forward once again.
“The most basic responsibility of any prime minister is to leave the country in a better state to which you found it. Keir Starmer can proudly say he will do just that.”
In an interview this week, Sir Keir said he would “do everything I possibly can” to help Andy Burnham win the next election.
But he admitted: “Did I want it to end at this point in this way? No, I didn’t.
“But I accept that with good grace.”