Keir Starmer is under fire after Labour’s government crackdown on illegal workers was heavily promoted through a series of widely-criticised videos. The footage, showing border officials arresting migrants, has been branded “ghoulish” by social media users and slammed by human rights groups.
The videos come as part of Labour’s wider effort to curb illegal Channel crossings and tackle exploitative working conditions for migrants. But critics say the move is little more than an attempt to outflank the right-wing Reform UK party as their popularity rises in the polls.
A surge in arrests under Labour
Since taking office in July, Labour claims immigration enforcement officers have arrested 3,930 people working illegally across 5,424 site visits. That’s a 38% increase compared to the same period under the Tories.
The Home Office says many migrants are lured to the UK by false promises, only to face dangerous journeys, squalid living conditions, and exploitation by employers. Labour’s latest Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, which is set to be debated in the Commons, proposes granting new powers to enforcement officers, such as seizing electronic devices before making arrests.
The bill would also introduce tougher penalties, including up to 14 years in prison for those handling boat parts suspected of being used in Channel crossings.
Criticism within Labour: “We’re playing Reform UK’s game”
Not everyone within Labour is on board. Veteran MP Diane Abbott has warned that the government’s crackdown risks legitimising Reform UK’s hardline stance on immigration.
“Trying to present ourselves as Reform-lite is a big mistake,” Abbott told The Guardian. “All you do is give legitimacy to their agenda and encourage people to vote for the real thing.”
Her comments come as Reform UK continues to rise in the polls, with recent Opinium polling showing Labour on 27%, Reform on 26%, and the Conservatives trailing at 22%.
Human rights groups raise alarms
Labour’s plan has also drawn sharp criticism from organisations like Liberty, which argues that using counter-terror-style powers to crack down on illegal workers sets a dangerous precedent. They say that without proper safeguards, innocent people could be prosecuted unfairly.
Meanwhile, the International Rescue Committee UK has welcomed Labour’s pledge to reform the asylum system but insists that safe routes must be provided for people fleeing conflict.
“Without more safe alternatives for those in need, vulnerable people will continue to be forced into the hands of smugglers and more dangerous routes,” said Denise Delic, advocacy director for the IRC.
Social media backlash: “ghoulish and unnecessary”
The videos promoting the arrests have not gone down well online. Many users have branded the footage as “ghoulish” and compared it to the Tories’ infamous migrant deportation videos released last year.
Critics argue that Labour is simply playing into the hands of Reform UK, giving them the ammunition they need to win over voters who favour hardline immigration policies.
The question now is whether Labour’s immigration strategy will help them stay ahead in the polls—or backfire as critics predict.
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