Labour leader blames speechwriters for Powell-style gaffe as FOURTH major U-turn rocks No10
Sir Keir Starmer has admitted he “deeply regrets” warning Britain could become an “island of strangers” — after doubling down on the controversial phrase just six weeks ago.
The Prime Minister’s humiliating climbdown comes as his authority crumbles with FOUR major U-turns in recent weeks, leaving critics branding him a “ventriloquist’s dummy” who just reads whatever’s put in front of him.
Blame Game Begins
In an extraordinary interview with The Observer, Starmer threw his speechwriters under the bus, claiming neither he nor his team realised the phrase echoed Enoch Powell’s infamous Rivers of Blood speech.
I had no idea — and my speechwriters didn’t know either,” the PM insisted.
The Labour leader then admitted he should have “held it up to the light a bit more” before delivering the immigration speech in May.
‘Not In The Best State’
Starmer blamed his poor judgement on being “shaken up” after an alleged arson attack on his family home hours before the speech.
“I was really, really worried. I almost said: ‘I won’t do the bloody press conference,'” he confessed.
But critics aren’t buying the excuses.
Farage Fury: ‘He’s Got No Beliefs’
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage unleashed a blistering attack on the flip-flopping PM.
This is absolute proof that Keir Starmer has no beliefs, no principles, and just reads from a script,” Farage thundered.
“We need a leader that has vision.”
Tory Takedown
Conservative Robert Jenrick didn’t hold back either, savaging Starmer’s latest retreat.
“Starmer now says he was just ‘reading the words out’, like a dummy,” Jenrick blasted.
“We need a leader, not a ventriloquist.”
The Tory MP added that by 2031, nearly a quarter of Britain’s population will have been born abroad — making Starmer’s original warning “obviously true.
Powell Parallels
The PM’s May speech had warned Britain risked becoming “an island of strangers” without tougher immigration controls — language that immediately sparked fury from his own MPs.
Veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott branded it “fundamentally racist” while suspended MP Zarah Sultana called the speech “sickening.
Even London Mayor Sadiq Khan distanced himself, saying they “aren’t words that I would use.
Pattern of Panic
This marks Starmer’s FOURTH major retreat in recent weeks:
WINTER FUEL: After months of resistance, he caved to pressure in May and agreed to expand eligibility for pensioner heating payments
WELFARE CUTS: Just yesterday, he watered down £5billion disability benefit cuts after 120 Labour MPs threatened rebellion
GROOMING INQUIRY: Two weeks ago, he U-turned on a national inquiry into grooming gangs after previously dismissing calls as “far-right
ISLAND OF STRANGERS: Now admits his immigration speech was wrong
Leadership in Crisis
The pattern of U-turns has left Starmer’s authority in tatters just one year into his premiership.
Labour insiders report “shouting matches” between whips and rebels, with MPs demanding “regime change” at No10.
One Cabinet source revealed the PM’s team had been “wrong to sell” policies without proper consultation.
‘He Doesn’t Believe in Borders’
Jenrick claimed the apology reveals Starmer’s true colours.
Starmer regrets saying what’s obviously true because he doesn’t believe in borders or the nation state,” the Tory claimed.
The immigration speech had attempted to position Labour as tough on migration, announcing visa crackdowns to cut “monster levels” of net migration.
Poll Tax Moment?
Diane Abbott has warned Starmer’s string of unpopular policies could prove his “poll tax” moment — referencing the policy that brought down Margaret Thatcher.
Some things cut through,” Abbott told Good Morning Britain. You remember Mrs Thatcher and the poll tax? It just cut through.”
The Labour veteran even questioned whether Starmer would survive until the next election, pointedly suggesting Deputy PM Angela Rayner as an alternative.
No10 in Chaos
Sources paint a picture of dysfunction at the heart of government, with Starmer’s Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney and “over-excitable boys” blamed for the chaos.
The PM has been forced to publicly deny he might quit, insisting he hadn’t “failed to read the room.”
But with his majority under threat from constant rebellions and Reform UK surging in the polls, the question remains: how many more U-turns can Starmer’s leadership survive?
Do you think Starmer should resign? Have your say in the comments below
Image credit: Photo by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street, taken on 8 July 2024 in Cardiff during Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s meeting with First Minister Vaughan Gething. Licensed under the UK Open Government Licence v3.0 (Crown copyright) commons.wikimedia.org+2commons.wikimedia.org+2members.parliament.uk+2
Image page: View on Wikimedia Commons – “Keir Starmer in Wales”
1 comment
The public want not only Starmer but all Labour out . Yes a General Election is what we want, and we want to save our country. Make Britain Great again.
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