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Keir Starmer has unveiled a counter-terror style small boats plan that will “replace gimmicks with graft” by scrapping the Rwanda scheme.
He has vowed to partly fund a new “elite” border unit as he set out his plans to stop small boats crossing the Channel.
In a speech at Dover, the Labour leader accused the Conservatives of operating a “Travelodge amnesty” by housing asylum-seekers in hotels rather than processing their claims.
He was accompanied by new Labour MP Natalie Elphicke, who has slammed the Tories approach on boats just days after defecting from the party.
Speaking about her admission, he said the move represents the “mood of the country” as Rishi Sunak is “clinging on by his fingernails” to power.
During the press conference, the opposition leader hasn’t ruled out letting Nigel Farage join the Labour Party.
It comes after shadow health secretary Wes Streeting claimed more Tory MPs were considering defecting to Labour because of “division and incompetence” in Rishi Sunak’s government, claiming to have spoken to others “who are wrestling with their future”.
Key Points
- Keir Starmer ripped up Rwanda scheme and plans to use counter-terror laws to stop small boats
- Labour face angry backlash over Tory defector’s ‘gaslighting’ women’s rights record
- Natalie Elphicke apologises for comments in support of ex-husband
- Starmer denies Nigel Farage joining the Labour Party
- More Conservative MPs ‘wrestling with’ whether to join Labour, says Wes Streeting
- Rishi Sunak ‘to blame’ for Conservative exodus, lone Tory mayor Ben Houchen says
Dominic Cummings plans to replace the Tories
The Tories have a new problem to worry about.
Former advisor to Boris Johnson Dominic Cummins has unveiled a ‘Start-Up Party’ that could rival the Conservative Party.
The anti-establishment party leader has been organising focus groups to explore voter’s views.
He previously said he wants the party to be “credibly anti-insider” to “replace the Tories”.
Watch: Government’s ‘failed’ asylum system offers false hope to migrants, says Starmer
Sir Keir Starmer said the UK’s failed asylum system has turned refugee camps into a “job-centre for modern slavery” as he outlined Labour’s plan to stop small boat crossings on Friday 10 May.
The Labour leader delivered a speech on the Kent coast in which he attacked the government’s current approach as “rank incompetence” and dismissed the Rwanda scheme.
Sir Keir also recalled a visit to a refugee camp on the outskirts of Calais in 2016 and described the situation as a “monumental failure”.
“People had been brutally let down,” he said.
“Not just in terms of the truly awful conditions but also because the failure of our asylum system had encouraged a false hope.”
In full: Keir Starmer attacks ‘unquenchable Tory thirst for gimmicks’
The Labour leader attacked Rishi Sunak’s approach to the small boats crisis as ‘gimmicks, not serious government’ and set out the party’s own plans to crack down on people smugglers.
He promised “a new politics” on everything from small boat crossings to the economy, saying: “The character of politics will change, and through that, we will deliver higher growth, safer streets, an NHS back on its feet, more opportunity in your community, cheaper bills in your home, and secure borders for our nation.”
Click here for the full story
Salma Ouaguira10 May 2024 14:25 1715346950Politics explained: How ‘The Independent’ killed off Nadhim Zahawi’s political ambitions
The ‘boy from Baghdad’ believed he could be prime minister, says Sean O’Grady.
But his announcement that he is to step down at the general election puts an end to that dream.
His departure from Westminster life, thanks in part to our investigation of his tax affairs, will remain an instructive political fable.
Click here to read the full analysis
Natalie Elphicke still getting ‘punches’ despite apology
Labour MP Jess Philipps has said Natalie Elphicke’s defection was “like being punched in the gut”.
The former Tory MP ignited a huge wave of backlash after comments defending her ex-husband emerged.
Jess says the apology was “an absolute start, but is also a bare minimum”.
She added: “I’m going to give her a chance to talk to me personally. There is a part of that statement about abuse and harm that he caused to her as well.
“I’m not saying that to excuse her. I am saying that because I think that she provides us with a lesson of how we could actually prevent this going forward and have some sort of cultural shift.
“So I don’t excuse her and I will give her, like I would with any woman, I will give her a fair chance.”
Salma Ouaguira10 May 2024 13:58 1715345328Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper hits back at Cleverly
Earlier today James Cleverly posted a statement slamming Keir Starmer for his approach on small boats crossings.
He posted the comment with a snap of an FT article titled “Yvette Cooper urges ‘immoral’ UK to take 10,000 refugees”.
The shadow Home Secretary has now clapped back.
Salma Ouaguira10 May 2024 13:48 1715344728Meanwhile in Scotland...
Labour small boat crossing plan ‘absolute joke' says Chancellor
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has slammed Sir Keir Starmer’s plan to curve small boat crossings.
Speaking on LBC, he said: “I mean, you know what they want to do is they want to cancel the Rwanda policy.
“That we are now seeing beginning to work because we’re getting reports from people in Ireland saying they don’t want to come to the UK because of the risk of being flown to Rwanda.”
Salma Ouaguira10 May 2024 13:28 1715343285‘Elphicke said UK should open fire on the French if they don’t accept returned small boats,’ Tory MP says
Tory MP Michael Fabricant revealed he spoke with Ms Elphicke at a Christmas event in which she said the Royal Navy should “open fire” on the French Navy if they do not accept small boats being returned.
He adds that Ms Elphicke wanted to see small boats being “nudged back”.
Speaking about her defection to Labour, Mr Fabricant said it was “amazing” to see her alongside Sir Keir Starmer.
And that Ms Elphicke isn’t a “good fit” in the Labour Party - and that she “wasn’t a good fit in the Conservative Party either”, he said.
Starmer’s plan ‘already being done,’ Tory MP says
Conservative MP Michael Fabricant said Sir Keir Starmer’s plan top stop small boat crossings is nothing new.
He said all his promises “are things that the government and other agencies are already doing”.
Salma Ouaguira10 May 2024 12:54 Newer1 / 12OlderDisclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.
