Keir Starmer strongly criticized Reform UK’s proposal to eliminate the primary pathway to citizenship for individuals who arrived in the UK legally.
The Prime Minister condemned Nigel Farage’s initiative to abolish indefinite leave to remain (ILR) as divisive, emphasizing the importance of recognizing these individuals as part of the community. Starmer, speaking at the Labour conference, labeled the policy as racist and immoral, urging for its exposure.
In response to whether Reform UK is targeting racists, Starmer noted that many frustrated individuals, including former Labour voters seeking change, may be considering supporting the party due to dissatisfaction with past governance. However, he stressed the distinction between removing illegal migrants and lawfully settled residents, highlighting the latter’s integral role in society.
Reform UK recently announced plans to scrap ILR if elected, potentially jeopardizing the status of hundreds of thousands of legally settled residents. Farage specified targeting around 800,000 individuals who arrived between 2020 and 2024, during a period of increased legal migration under Boris Johnson’s administration.
Health worker unions have expressed concerns about the policy’s impact on the NHS and care sector, given the significant number of overseas staff currently employed. Zia Yusuf, Reform UK’s head of policy, defended the party’s stance by emphasizing the importance of ensuring that only British citizens have access to welfare benefits and that migrants actively contribute to society.