Sir Keir Starmer has labelled Reform UK’s policy of scrapping indefinite leave to remain as “racist” and “immoral”.The policy, which could effectively lead to hundreds of thousands of people who are here legally being deported from the UK, was announced by party leader Nigel Farage last week.Sir Keir added he did not think Reform UK supporters were racist but “frustrated” after 14 years of “Tory failure”.The prime minister was speaking to the BBC as Labour conference got under way, against a backdrop of questions about his leadership and sliding poll ratings. He said he needed “space” to make good on the promises he made at last year’s general election, when Labour won a landslide majority.Currently, migrants can apply for indefinite leave to remain after five years, giving the right to live, study and work in the UK permanently.Labour plans to double the period it takes to gain indefinite leave to remain from five years to 10, and a consultation was announced in May as part of a package of plans to cut immigration.Under Reform’s plans, migrants would need to reapply for new visas with tougher rules, and the party would abolish indefinite leave to remain (ILR), which gives people additional rights and access to benefits.Speaking to the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme as Labour’s autumn conference began in Liverpool, Sir Keir was asked whether he thought scrapping ILR was a racist policy.He replied: “I do think it’s a racist policy, I do think it’s immoral – it needs to be called out for what it is.”He added: “It’s one thing to say we’re going to remove illegal migrants, people who have no right to be here, I’m up …
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[mwai_chat context=”Let’s have a discussion about this article:nnSir Keir Starmer has labelled Reform UK’s policy of scrapping indefinite leave to remain as “racist” and “immoral”.The policy, which could effectively lead to hundreds of thousands of people who are here legally being deported from the UK, was announced by party leader Nigel Farage last week.Sir Keir added he did not think Reform UK supporters were racist but “frustrated” after 14 years of “Tory failure”.The prime minister was speaking to the BBC as Labour conference got under way, against a backdrop of questions about his leadership and sliding poll ratings. He said he needed “space” to make good on the promises he made at last year’s general election, when Labour won a landslide majority.Currently, migrants can apply for indefinite leave to remain after five years, giving the right to live, study and work in the UK permanently.Labour plans to double the period it takes to gain indefinite leave to remain from five years to 10, and a consultation was announced in May as part of a package of plans to cut immigration.Under Reform’s plans, migrants would need to reapply for new visas with tougher rules, and the party would abolish indefinite leave to remain (ILR), which gives people additional rights and access to benefits.Speaking to the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme as Labour’s autumn conference began in Liverpool, Sir Keir was asked whether he thought scrapping ILR was a racist policy.He replied: “I do think it’s a racist policy, I do think it’s immoral – it needs to be called out for what it is.”He added: “It’s one thing to say we’re going to remove illegal migrants, people who have no right to be here, I’m up …nnDiscussion:nn” ai_name=”RocketNews AI: ” start_sentence=”Can I tell you more about this article?” text_input_placeholder=”Type ‘Yes'”]
