UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – A group of Labour MPs is pushing the government to implement tougher immigration measures as fears grow over electoral losses to the populist Reform Party.
Amid rising concerns over Reform UK’s surge, Labour MPs whose seats could be threatened by Nigel Farage’s party have formed a pressure group urging Keir Starmer to adopt a stronger stance on migration and crime.
How are Labour MPs responding to Reform UK’s rise?
Representatives from 89 constituencies where Reform UK secured second place in last year’s election have formed an informal group. Their primary target is Nigel Farage‘s party, which recently topped a national poll.
An MP participating in the ongoing talks, including several MPs, stated,
“There is a major focus now on how to beat Reform. Various groups have been set up and we have been talking to Downing Street about what works. One of our main messages to the leadership is we need to do more on illegal migration, especially.”
One MP stated that the group wants the government to be more vocal about its actions on legal and illegal migration, particularly the deportation of thousands back home.
What did the Labour Party source say?
A Labour insider said,
“Groups of MPs frequently meet to discuss numerous issues. Labour MPs are rightly concerned about Nigel Farage’s plans to make people pay to access NHS services and will carry on taking the fight to them and other opposition parties in parliament and at the ballot box.”
How is Downing Street addressing Reform UK’s rising popularity?
Reform UK’s rising influence has been troubling Downing Street for months, but the situation intensified more after YouGov’s recent poll. The survey, released on Monday, showed Reform at 25%, Labour at 24%, and the Tories at 21%.
Prime Minister’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, has identified tackling Reform’s growing appeal as a top agenda, advising MPs that Labour can address the matter by highlighting clear progress in local public services.
In recent weeks, Downing Street has sent polling experts and campaign strategists to update MPs on the areas where the party has surpassed its national polling figures in the latest council by-elections.
Do Labour MPs want more action on immigration and deportations?
Matthew Faulding, the secretary of the Parliamentary Labour Party and an ally of McSweeney, was behind the coordination of the briefings. Despite this, many MPs are urging the leadership to take decisive action, especially on immigration.
One MP expressed frustration over the response from ministers during the recent briefing when questioned about the offshore asylum processing, a proposal Keir Starmer has indicated he would support.
Another MP stated,
“We need to take tougher action on immigration, but we also need to shout louder about what we are doing.”
How many people has Labour deported?
As reported by The Guardian, Labour revealed it has deported around 13,500 people since taking office, with the numbers set to hit a five-year high.
However, the figures have raised concerns among human rights advocates, but some MPs argue the party should do more to publicize them.
Can Labour learn from Germany’s far-right rise?
A team of officials is planning to travel to Germany in the coming weeks to explore lessons from the ascent of the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), which is expected to have a strong showing in the upcoming national vote.
Reform seeks to gain in this year’s local elections and hopes for even stronger results, including in the Welsh Parliament. Meanwhile, some Labour members believe that as national elections draw near, scrutiny of Reform’s platform and candidates’ positions will increase.
