Starmer’s immigration speech likened to Enoch Powell saying ‘strangers in their own country’ – London Business News | London Wallet

The Home Secretary has defended Sir Keir Starmer over criticism that his immigration speech is likened Enoch Powell’s “rivers of blood” speech in 1968.

Starmer said in his immigration speech on Monday that UK risks becoming an “island of strangers” if the government does not act, whilst Powell said that British people could become “strangers in their own country” through migration.

Yvette Cooper claims that Starmer’s immigration plan is “completely different” from Powell’s famous 1968 speech he made in Parliament.

Powell’s speech outraged members of the Conservatives so much at the time he was later sacked.

Cooper told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, “I don’t think it’s right to make those comparisons. It’s completely different.

“And the Prime Minister said yesterday, I think almost in the same breath… talked about the diverse country that we are, and that being part of our strength.”

The Home Secretary was asked if the Prime Minister’s speech writers are aware the language is similar to Powell’s “rivers of blood” speech, she said, “I don’t know.”

She said that people should focus on the government’s immigration plans, adding, “I think we do actually have to be able to have a serious conversation about the policies.

“You’re right. Everybody always gets caught up in focusing on different phrases, but we do have to be talking about the policies.”

Speaking to the BBC cooper said, “I think part of the point that he (Starmer) is making is that we have to recognise people have come to the UK through generations to do really important jobs in our NHS, founding our biggest businesses, doing some of the most difficult jobs, but it’s because that’s important the system has to be controlled and managed, and it just hasn’t been.”

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said that he wouldn’t have used the words “island of strangers.”

Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell said that Starmer was “reflecting the language” of Powell’s 1968 speech and Labour backbencher Olivia Blake said what Starmer said might “risk legitimising the same far-right violence we saw in last year’s summer riots.”