Labour MPs in the Red Wall are warning Sir Keir Starmer they are at risk of losing their seats to Reform unless he proves he is tough on immigration.
Around 35 MPs have formed a new pressure group dubbed the Red Wall Caucus urging the PM to be more vocal about his plans to get a grip on the issue.
The MPs represent Brexit-backing seats in the North and Midlands that were once Labour heartlands but fell to Boris Johnson in his 2019 landslide and are now being eyed up by Nigel Farage.
Jonathan Hinder, the Labour MP for Pendle and Clitheroe and a member of the group, said the challenge for the Government is to “clearly and regularly communicate” the action being taken to curb immigration.
He told The Telegraph: “The British people want our borders secure and net migration brought down after the Tories totally lost control.
“The Government has made an excellent start in this regard, but the challenge now is to clearly and regularly communicate the action being taken on deportations, smashing the gangs, and reducing our reliance on overseas workers, so that people have confidence that progress is being made.”
Another MP in the group added of the Government’s messaging: “I feel that we can be better. I feel that we’ve come into Government focusing on doing the job, rather than on how we inform people of what we’re doing.
“So getting our comms right is critical, and I see that as an important responsibility for us in the Red Wall group to put that pressure on the Government to do so.
“If you look at the Government and the majority of ministers, they represent seats that you wouldn’t define as Red Wall seats… That’s no fault and no criticism, but it’s ensuring that we have a voice and that we are heard.
“It’s about ensuring that they hear what we’re saying about what’s going on locally, but also ensuring that the comms and the way that we present policy reflects the priorities for people in our area.”
It comes as the Prime Minister has so far refused to set a target for bringing down record levels of net migration – the difference between the number of people arriving legally and leaving – to the UK.
Meanwhile, more migrants crossed the English Channel on small boats on Christmas Day yesterday.
