Portrait of Keir Starmer
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Keir Starmer on Asylum Seekers

Abolished Rwanda plan (strong) Position evolved

Keir Starmer's current policy concerning asylum seekers centres on immediately dismantling the former government's flagship scheme. Upon becoming Prime Minister, one of his first acts was declaring the Rwanda asylum plan "dead and buried," signalling a definitive break from that strategy for managing irregular migration across the English Channel.

However, the government's broader approach to migration has become significantly tighter under his premiership. Following record net migration figures, Starmer announced policies aimed at reducing overall immigration levels, stating the UK risked becoming an 'island of strangers' in May 2025, language which drew immediate criticism for its historical connotations.

In response to ongoing small boat crossings, Starmer implemented a Border Security Command to target smuggling gangs and later proposed a 'one in, one out' migrant deal with France. His government presented the 2025 UK refugee plan to Parliament in November 2025, reflecting a commitment to controlling and reducing migration flows despite the controversy surrounding earlier rhetoric and policy implementation, such as the delayed returns of returned migrants.

Timeline

  1. Immediately following the general election victory, Starmer cancelled the Rwanda asylum plan and established the Border Security Command.
  2. Delivered a speech and associated white paper on immigration, warning that high immigration had done 'incalculable damage' and risking the UK becoming an 'island of strangers'.
  3. Announced a new 'one in, one out' migrant deal with France, which was intended to commence immediately.
  4. The first deportation flight under the new French deal was cancelled due to protests and legal challenges, alongside other deportation flight cancellations.

Actions Taken

  1. Policy Cancellation
    Cancelled the controversial Rwanda asylum plan, declaring it "dead and buried," and established the Border Security Command to tackle smuggling operations facilitating Channel crossings.
  2. Announced that a new 'one in, one out' migrant deal with France would begin within weeks, aiming to manage arrivals through reciprocal agreements.
  3. Legislation Proposal
    Presented the 2025 UK refugee plan to Parliament as part of the government's broader immigration reform strategy.

Related Positions

  • Illegal Migration (Small Boats) Tackling small boat crossings was a key pledge made by Starmer as Leader of the Opposition and continued as a government priority.
  • Overall Immigration Levels Starmer's government has explicitly aimed to reduce the record net migration figures inherited from the previous administration.

Criticism

The Left/Progressive Labour MPs

Starmer's rhetoric surrounding immigration, particularly the 'island of strangers' comment, was criticised for echoing the racist 'Rivers of Blood' speech by Enoch Powell.

Charities and Legal Action Groups

Protests and threats of legal action repeatedly led to the cancellation of planned deportation flights under the new immigration policies.