Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has been issued a stark warning that his government's strategic shift to the right to counter the electoral threat from Nigel Farage's Reform UK is "utterly doomed" and risks tearing apart his voting coalition.
Unions Condemn 'Selling Out' Core Principles
The criticism comes from prominent union leaders who accuse the Labour government of abandoning its principles in a futile attempt to win back voters drawn to Reform's hardline stance on immigration. Matt Wrack, the head of a major teaching union, delivered a blistering assessment, stating Sir Keir "can never out-Farage Farage".
He accused the Prime Minister of "acquiescing to an agenda set by a far-right and populist agenda" and legitimising dangerous narratives about people fleeing war. Dr Tom Dolphin, chair of the British Medical Association, echoed these concerns, urging Labour to stick to its "core principles and not sell them out in order to get votes".
The Strategic Dilemma and Polling Peril
The warnings follow a significant slump in Labour's poll ratings since the general election, a drop partly attributed to the rise of Reform UK. Leading pollster Keiran Pedley of Ipsos said Sir Keir faces a "real strategic challenge" mirroring that of former Conservative PM Rishi Sunak.
While acknowledging that migration is the top issue for voters and must be addressed, Pedley cautioned that a rightward shift also alienates "large numbers of more progressive left-leaning voters". He warned that relying on tough rhetoric alone is insufficient, and the government must demonstrate a "sustained period" of successful policy delivery to recover in the polls.
Controversial Policies and Internal Rifts
In response to Reform's surge, the Starmer government has pursued an increasingly stringent immigration agenda. This includes:
- Announcing sweeping asylum reforms making refugee status temporary.
- Considering measures akin to Denmark's "jewellery law" to have some asylum seekers contribute to support costs.
- Urging European leaders to re-examine the interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
These moves mark a dramatic turnaround for Sir Keir, who as Jeremy Corbyn's shadow immigration minister promoted open borders and once labelled those raising immigration concerns as "racist". The strategy has sparked internal discord, with the Unite union warning in July it could sever ties with Labour, potentially stripping the party of a major donor.
Dr Dolphin highlighted a critical practical consequence, stating that restrictive immigration policies championed by Reform would cripple the NHS, which is heavily reliant on overseas doctors and care staff. "We aren't yet able to be self-sufficient... to fill that gap," he said.
Mr Wrack concluded that the strategy of chasing right-wing votes is fostering division, making Britain feel "more anxious and divided", and is ultimately unwinnable for Labour.
