Plaid Cymru MP slams Starmer over migration stance
Plaid Cymru’s Westminster Leader Liz Saville Roberts MP challenged Keir Starmer over his shifting stance on migration, accusing him of abandoning principles for political convenience during Prime Minister’s Questions.
Her criticism follows the Prime Minister’s claim that the UK risks becoming an “island of strangers” without toughened border controls, during a speech on Monday.
His comments sparked a fierce backlash, including from some Labour backbenchers, who condemned Sir Keir’s rhetoric as “dangerous” and divisive.
Zarah Sultana, the Coventry East MP who sits as an Independent following a rebel vote over the two-child benefit cap, accused Sir Keir of imitating Enoch Powell’s infamous “rivers of blood speech” in the 1960s.
“That speech fuelled decades of racism and division. Echoing it today is a disgrace,” she said.
“It adds to anti-migrant rhetoric that puts lives at risk. Shame on you, Keir Starmer.”
‘Principle’
Liz Saville Roberts said: “This Prime Minister once spoke of compassion and dignity for migrants, and defending free movement. Now he talks of ‘islands of strangers’ and ‘taking back control’.
“Somebody here has to call this out, Mr Speaker. It seems the only principle he consistently defends is whichever he last heard in a focus group.
“So I ask him: is there any belief he holds which survives a week in Downing Street?”
Mr Starmer responded: “Yes – the belief that she talks rubbish. Mr Speaker, I want to lead a country where we pull together and walk into the future as neighbours and as communities, not as strangers.
“The loss of control of migration by the last government put all that at risk – that’s why we’re fixing the system based on principles of control, selection and fairness.”
‘Outburst’
Speaking after the exchange, Ms Saville Roberts MP added: “The Prime Minister’s outburst showed that my question struck a nerve. The expressions on the faces of many Labour MPs told their own story – plenty of them know I was right.
“If his convictions change with the political weather, it’s no surprise that support for Labour in Wales, as across Britain, is falling through the floor.”
Later in the session, Reform UK leader Nigel Farge said his party “very much enjoyed” the Prime Minister’s speech on Monday.
He said: “We at Reform, a party that is alive and kicking, very much enjoyed your speech on Monday, you seem to be learning a very great deal from us. Could I encourage you please to go further, as a matter of national security?”
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So, just Plaid and the Green Party left with principles then.
Everything else is for sale apparently..
Unbecoming of our PM to use such language especially considering he was a prosecutor yet lost this debate with a plaid MP.
Starmer’s seeming belief that he can see off Farage by pandering to Farage is such a stupid strategy.
It’s allowing Farage to claim he’s been vindicated and his followers are doubling down, ask any Reformer you know and I guarantee none of them will have switched to Labour after that speech and still can’t stand Starmer.
The only way Starmer is unifying the public is in their disapproval of him, it seems.
Liz hit a nerve there.
Starmer has announced to the world “Farage was right all along”.
He could talk about Labour’s policies to improve people’s lives, but that cupboard is empty.
Folks – calm yourselves. He doesn’t actually mean or even believe any of it, and nothing will get done about it. Starmer is an empty vessel into which you pour any pre-prepared opinion or principle depending on what you think the electorate want to hear.
Somebody throw in the towel, you have him on the ropes Liz, whoever told him he could box has left him out on a limb sawing like mad while people die from want of crumbs off the West’s table…
A horror show unfolds daily and it has become a matinee…He has been compromised for some time and should have recused himself accordingly…
Take a handful of modelling balloons and bend them into the shape of a man, offer this articulated manikin to the corporate world to shape in their own image and then give him the power to serve ‘your/their interests for five years…
Even the Graun were impressed: >> “Courtesy was in short supply when Liz Saville Roberts, the group leader of Plaid Cymru, took the prime minister to task for his language on immigration and asked if there was any belief that Starmer held on to for more than a week. “Yes,” said Keir. “My belief that everything you say is rubbish.” It was a funny putdown. But one that came with edge. Unnecessarily rude. There was no need for that. Liz shrugged it off with better grace than Starmer deserved. She knew she had got under his skin. Had highlighted an… Read more »
Well done Liz Saville Roberts for standing up not only for those migrants cynically targeted by Keir Starmer, who is fast becoming a fascist, but Wales itself. You are our voice , unlike those spineless Wales Labour MPs who like nodding dogs agree with every word he says. You hit a raw nerve and it was a pleasure to see this red Tory hypocrite squirm. 👋🙂 🏴
The anti-imperialist vs the establishment imperialist stooge … as the imperialist wrecking ball cheers the racism on.
Please god, how much longer must we endure these bastards 🙏
Give ’em hell Liz!
Plaids stance on migration is one of the main reasons why I find it difficult to vote for them.
Labour in charge in both westminster & the Senedd has caused me to question if I really am left wing. I am VERY disapointed (not shocked though)
Reform put an excellent spin on things. People with a double digit IQ can’t stop praising them.
Well Said Liz!
Let’s make free movement of people a human right.