Sir Keir Starmer has accused Nigel Farage of using “scaremongering tactics”. The Prime Minister said the Reform UK leader “talks down the country at every turn” while he vowed to make a genuine difference to the lives of British people.
Farage has dominated the headlines this summer with his immigration plans. However, he has been criticised for stirring up anti-Migrants sentiment and provoking protests outside asylum seeker hotels. The Clacton MP also won’t be in Parliament as MPs return from the summer break as he has been accused of badmouthing Britain in the US.
As reported by the Mirror, Starmer said: “While Reform and the Tories talk down the country at every turn, we’re doing the work to make people’s lives better.
“I’m not interested in scaremongering from the sidelines. I’m rolling up my sleeves to deliver change that makes a difference to you and your family.”
Farage is set to spend the first two sitting days after MPs return from the summer in Washington. He is doubling down on his crusade against migrants and arguing against Britain’s online and anti-hate speech laws.
Bridget Phillipson, Minister for Women and Equalities, said Farage and Reform UK aren’t actually focused on genuine solutions to the issues. Instead, they think “whipping up anger” serves its political interests.
She told Sky News: “I understand the frustration that people feel, because I understand when they see, for example, asylum hotels and big numbers of people in their community, I understand how that can make people feel.
“Of course, there can be no excuse for what is rightful protest, overstepping the mark.
“But Nigel Farage and Reform, they don’t actually want to sort this problem. It’s in their interests… he thinks their political interests are served by whipping up anger rather than fixing problems.”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is set to lay out solutions to tackle the small boats crisis later today (Monday, September 1). Farage previously revealed plans for mass deportations, including paying the Taliban to take back migrants.
A senior Taliban official has replied to the plans, saying they would “embrace” any Afghans sent back under Farage’s proposals. They added it may be easier to negotiate with Farage than Starmer.
