Keir Starmer has criticized small boats as “Farage boats” while intensifying his criticisms of the Reform leader.
During an interview with GB News, the Prime Minister expressed the UK’s need to make up for lost ground and criticized Mr. Farage’s Brexit promises. Starmer highlighted that Farage was mistaken in suggesting that leaving the EU would not impact migration policy, pointing out that before Brexit, the UK had return agreements with all EU countries.
Referring to the boats crossing the Channel, Starmer stated, “These are Farage boats in many ways,” echoing a recent call at the Liberal Democrat conference to label them as Brexit boats.
Critics argue that the absence of a returns agreement with Europe has facilitated smuggling operations. French President Emmanuel Macron also noted that Brexit has hindered Britain’s ability to deport individuals and has encouraged illegal crossings.
After the UK exited the EU, the Dublin Convention, which allows for the return of asylum seekers to their initial EU entry point, no longer applied. Subsequently, the UK government reached a ‘one-in-one-out’ agreement with France in the summer, detaining and deporting small boat arrivals while permitting legitimate claimants to enter the UK.
Amid escalating attacks on Farage, Labour has accused Reform’s proposal to revoke indefinite leave to remain for existing UK residents as “racist.” However, Starmer clarified that he does not consider Farage or his supporters racist but voiced concerns about specific policies that could lead to mass deportations.
In response to accusations that his criticisms could incite radical elements, Starmer denied putting his opponent at risk. Farage, in a Daily Mail article, expressed disappointment in the PM’s behavior and hoped for a more responsible approach to British politics.