Nigel Farage has mocked the prime minister for “learning a great deal” from Reform UK on immigration.
Sir Keir Starmer has received criticism from members of his own party in recent days, after the government unveiled new legal immigration measures earlier this week.
During PMQ’s on Wednesday, Nigel Farage urged Starmer to “go further” on reforms and said: “We at Reform - a party that is alive and kicking - very much enjoyed your speech on Monday. You seem to be learning a great deal from us.”
During the session, the PM repeatedly criticised the Conservative Party’s performance after Kemi Badenoch took aim at Labour for its record in government so far.
He said: “The project for them is over, they’re sliding into oblivion. They are a dead party walking.”
The prime minister faced tough questions after his ‘island of strangers’ speech was compared to inflammatory rhetoric used by Enoch Powell on Monday.
Downing Street was forced to deny the comparison and said Sir Keir “completely rejects” the suggestions he echoed Powell, and stands by his words.
Key Points
- Starmer 'learning a great deal' from Reform, says Farage
- Labour sounds 'more like Reform than Reform', says Reform MP
- Starmer brands Conservatives 'a dead party walking'
- McFadden: Backlash to Starmer's 'island of strangers' speech 'way overblown'
- Starmer ‘completely rejects’ claims he echoed Enoch Powell in migration speech
PMQs finished
12:41 , Athena StavrouThis week’s Prime Minister’s Questions has now finished.
Sir Keir Starmer answered questions on a wide range of topics from the economy, immigration and trade.
The session began with Kemi Badenoch condemning the arson attacks on properties linked to the PM, before asking her first question on unemployment.
Sir Keir took the opportunity to criticise the Conservative Party’s own performance, branding them a “dead party walking”.
ANALYSIS: Plaid Cymru MP asks the question on everybody's lips
12:35 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
After cuts to winter fuel and welfare payments and now a massive crack down on migration – accompanied by language which has been compared to Enoch Powell – Sir Keir Starmer appears to have spent almost all of his political capital and goodwill among Labour MPs and the British public.
Many people are now asking – what exactly does Labour stand for?But nearly 20 minutes into the weekly 30 minute PMQs clash, neither Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, nor Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey had asked the question on almost everybody’s lips.
Instead, it was Plaid Cymru MP Liz Saville Roberts. “Is there any belief the prime minister holds that survives more than a week in Downing Street?”, she asked. “Yes - the belief that she talks rubbish”, the prime minister clapped back.
In his defence, it was a quick witted response.
But quick wit is unlikely to be enough to offset the damage that the growing image of a PM without firm principles is likely to do.
Farage goes for the throat on illegal immigration
12:34The Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
Nigel Farage was always going in on migration because he feels that the prime minister is on the run over the issue.
By trying to mirror the Reform UK leader’s language on Monday Sir Keir Starmer has apparently only served to fuel Farage.
The Reform leader went after his old favourite subject of the small boats in the Channel with 1,000 people crossing just this week.
Of course the PM’s announcement on Monday was about limiting legal not illegal migration but it is very much in the Farage agenda to conflate the two.
The exchanges showed that however much Starmer tries to shut down the attacks from Farage he is only going to embolden him further.
Farage urges Starmer to go 'further' in immigration reforms
12:27 , Athena StavrouNigel Farage used his question in the Commons on Wednesday to ask Starmer to “go further” on the government’s immigration reforms.
Farage said: “We at Reform - a party that is alive and kicking - very much enjoyed your speech on Monday. You seem to be learning a great deal from us.”
Gaza situation ‘intolerable’ admits PM
12:24 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
The prime minister was pressed on the ongoing crisis in Gaza by Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey and surprisingly seemed quite pleased to be asked the question.
He admitted that the situation there with the blockade by Israel is now becoming “intolerable”.
He also revealed that efforts are underway to try to get aid into Gaza where the UN has warned that starvation is now becoming a real likelihood for the Palestinians.
Nevertheless he dodged the question about recognising the Palestinian state, which will not have gone unnoticed by many of his own backbenchers who are worried about the issue.
Watch: Starmer breaks silence on arson attack at his home
12:18 , Athena StavrouAnalysis: Kemi Badenoch had prepared for Brexit but goes for the economy
12:17The Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:
The Tory leader had been preparing Brexit questions ahead of the reset deal but has decided to avoid the subject and pursue the PM on the economy.
While jobs are down in the economy, it feels like that not for the first time Kemi Badenoch is missing the big subjects of the week.
With the prime minister reeling over the immigration row and question marks ahead of next Monday’s Brexit reset unveiling.
True that the flatlining economy is a potential weak spot for Labour but Sir Keir can still lean back on 14 years of Tory government as an easy escape route to her questions.
'A dead party walking' - Starmer on Tory party
12:16 , Athena StavrouStarmer has launched another attack on the performance of the Conservative Party during PMQ’s.
“The EU deal good for our economy, she’s not going to even wait to see what it says she absurdly says she’s going to rip it up,” he said, responding to questions on the economy.
“It is so unserious....The project for them is over, they’re sliding into oblivions. They’re a dead party walking.”
Kemi Badenoch sent message of support ‘straight away’ after fire incident at his house, PM says
12:12The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Kemi Badenoch sent a message of support to Sir Keir Starmer “straight away” after the attack on his home, the prime minister told the Commons.
In a rare show of unity at Prime Minister’s Questions, the Tory leader said she was “horrified…to hear about the attack on his family home”.
“It is completely unacceptable and I think I speak for the whole house when I say that this wasn’t just an attack on him, but on all of us and on our democracy", she added.
Responding, Sir Keir said: “Can I thank her for her words about the attacks on me and my family and the kind messages from many others in the last few days.
“She did actually message me pretty well straight away and I really do appreciate that. And she’s absolutely right that this is an attack on all of us, on democracy and the values that we stand for.”
Arson attacks condemned on both sides in Commons
12:11 , Athena StavrouKemi Badenoch opened this week’s PMQ’s by condemning the recent arson attacks on properties linked to the prime minister.
Responding, Starmer thanked her and said the incidents were “an attack on all of us, on democracy and the values that we stand for”.
Conservatives sliding into 'braindead oblivion' - Starmer
12:09Sir Keir Starmer has attacked Kemi Badenoch during PMQ’s, saying the Conservative Party has slid into “braindead oblivion”
Defending the government’s trade deals, the prime minister said: “Most absurdly she said she’s going to rip up the EU deal without even seeing the page,”
He added: “A once great political party is sliding into braindead oblivious.”
Starmer facing Badenoch during PMQ's
12:05 , Athena StavrouSir Keir Starmer is currently facing questions in the Commons during PMQ’s.
Kemi Badenoch began with asking Sir Keir about rising unemployment figures.
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PMQs to begin shortly
12:00 , Athena StavrouIn a few minutes, Sir Keir Starmer will arrive at the Commons to face this week’s Prime Minister’s Questions.
He will likely be forced to defend the government’s new proposals for immigration reform - which have attracted criticism from all sides.
Starmer leaves No 10 ahead of PMQs
11:58 , Athena Stavrou
Watch live: Starmer faces Badenoch at PMQs after immigration crackdown backlash
11:53 , Athena StavrouWatch live as Keir Starmer faces Kemi Badenoch at PMQs on Wednesday, as he continues to face criticism for his “island of stranger speech”.
The prime minister faced backlash from members of his own party after his speech unveiling the government’s new immigration measures was compared to inflammatory rhetoric used by Enoch Powell in his “rivers of blood” speech.
Watch live here:
Watch live: Starmer faces Badenoch at PMQs after immigration crackdown fallout
Lowe: Farage 'must never be PM'
11:45 , Athena StavrouA statement from former Reform MP Rupert Lowe released after it was revealed no charges would be brought against him said there had been a “sinister attempt to weaponise the criminal justice system against me”.
The Independent MP for Great Yarmouth said Nigel Farage “must never be prime minister” and claimed the ordeal had “not just my political future, but my liberty at risk”.
He said: “All because I dared to raise constructive criticisms of Nigel Farage, stood firm on deporting illegal migrants, and pushed for Reform to be run democratically – not as a vehicle to stroke one man’s ego.
“How did Reform respond? With a brutal smear campaign. For the sin of asking legitimate questions about the party’s direction, policies and leadership, I was vilified and targeted.”
Mr Lowe said he was “ashamed to have shared a parliamentary platform” with Reform UK.
“Farage is no leader – he is a coward and a viper. I feel deeply embarrassed that I ever thought he was the man to lead,” he added.
He added: “If Farage were ever to control the vast power of the British state, I believe he would not hesitate to do to his adversaries what they have tried to do to me. With real power, I fear he would wield that immense responsibility to crush dissent – as he has done time and again over the years.”
Ex-Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe won’t face charges over alleged threats against party chair
11:23 , Athena StavrouA former Reform UK MP will not be charged over allegations he made “verbal threats” against the party’s chairman Zia Yusuf.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it would not charge Rupert Lowe after reviewing the evidence handed over by the party.
The Great Yarmouth MP was suspended from Nigel Farage’s party in March amid a deepening civil war and allegations about his conduct, which he denies.
Read the full breaking news story here:
Ex-Reform MP Rupert Lowe won’t face charges over alleged threats against party chair
Mark Carney says Canadians ‘not impressed’ by King’s offer of second state visit to Trump
11:12 , Athena StavrouCanada was “not impressed” by the King’s invitation to Donald Trump for an unprecedented second state visit to the UK, the country’s prime minister has said.
Freshly elected leader Mark Carney said February’s invitation jarred with Canadians because it was delivered physically by Keir Starmer during an Oval Office press conference while Trump was challenging Canada's sovereignty and suggesting America’s northern neighbour should become the 51st state of the US.
The former British colony is also a key member of the Commonwealth and regards King Charles as its head of state.
Read the full story:
Canada not impressed by offer of second state visit to Trump, says Carney
Stop-Brexit man piles in on 'island of strangers' fury
10:53 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
The stop-Brexit man has piled in on Sir Keir Starmer over his "island of strangers" warning, blasting The Doors - People Are Strange outside parliament for the past hour.
Steve Bray, who has demonstrated against Brexit and the Conservatives every week with loud music and a megaphone, is playing the song in response to the prime minister's controversial speech.
The lyrics are: "People are strange, when you're a stranger, faces look ugly, when you're alone."Women seem wicked, when you're unwanted, streets are uneven, when you're down."
It is a new addition to his repertoire of what are usually popular songs remixed to contain anti-Brexit or anti-Tory lyrics.
PM to face questions at noon
10:41 , Athena StavrouSir Keir Starmer is set to face tough questions during Prime Minister’s Questions at noon.
The Tory leader, Kemi Badenoch, will ask him the usual six questions, and the Lib Dem leader two.
After, MPs will get the opportunities to ask their own questions.
Some MPs including Nigel Farage, have been guaranteed a question.
Our national identity is in crisis – so what does it mean to be British in 2025?
10:22 , Athena StavrouIn an age of divisive nationalism, the question of what it means to hail from Britain has become difficult to parse. A new book finds that the answer lies somewhere in language, whether in the form of self-deprecating slogans or the words of our most beloved playwright, writes Robert McCrum.
Read the full Independent premium piece here:
Our national identity is in crisis – so what does it mean to be British in 2025?
What are the main changes being introduced to immigration?
10:00 , Athena StavrouUnder the White Paper proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship, but so-called “high-contributing” individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English, with rules also being laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The immigration skills charge, paid by firms sponsoring a migrant worker, will be hiked by 32 per cent.
Meanwhile, skilled worker visas will now require a university degree. For occupations below this level, access to the immigration system will be strictly time-limited and based on evidence of shortages in the supply of labour.
It also includes provisions to end overseas recruitment for social care visas – a move which has been “cruel” by care bosses and is likely to spark concerns over staff shortages in the already overstretched sector.
Minister defends UK decision to offer Trump second state visit after Carney criticism
09:46 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Cabinet minister Pat McFadden has defended the UK's decision to offer Donald Trump a second state visit, after Canadian PM Mark Carney said the country was "not impressed".
"Every country has to decide how it conducts its own relations with other countries", the Labour MP told Sky News.
He added that the US relationship is “really important” but that “our relationship and friendship with Canada is really important too”.
Mr McFadden also said he is "completely relaxed" about Mr Carney's comments, adding: “We’ve got free speech in the world. Prime Minister Carney is entitled to his view."
"I’m glad that President Trump is coming on a state visit, and I’m particularly glad that we’ve conducted a trade deal that saves thousands of automotive jobs in this country and is a platform for future trade which can benefit the United Kingdom economically more in the future too", he said.
Watch: Canadian prime minister Mark Carney criticises King Charles over Trump UK state visit
09:32Canadian prime minister Mark Carney has criticised King Charles’ decision to offer Donald Trump a second state visit to the UK.
The newly elected Liberal leader said Canadians “were not impressed”, by the decision, during an interview with Sky News on Wednesday (14 May).
Keir Starmer handed the US president his invitation for a second state visit from the King, when he visited the White House earlier this year.
Mr Carney said: “I think, to be frank, they weren't impressed by that gesture., given the circumstance. It was at a time when we were being quite clear about the issues around sovereignty.”
Watch the video here:
Mark Carney criticises King Charles over Trump UK state visit
Why has Sir Keir Starmer's speech sparked so much criticism?
09:17On Monday, the prime minister hosted an early morning Downing Street press conference to unveil the government’s new immigration measures.
But the divisive speech sparked furious backlash, with his own MPs joining trade unions and charities in comparing the language with that of the far right and Enoch Powell.
Critics have said Starmer’s warning that the UK could become an “island of strangers”, echoes inflammatory rhetoric used by Powell in his “rivers of blood” speech.
The 1968 speech whipped up a frenzy of anti-immigration hatred across the UK after it imagined a future where the white population in Britain “found themselves made strangers in their own country”.
Kim Leadbeater’s assisted dying bill is a disaster waiting to happen – especially for disabled people
08:53After a break from public life since last July, yesterday I was introduced to the House of Lords. In my time away, parliament has seen, in Kim Leadbeater’s assisted dying bill, an attempt to introduce one of the most radical – and I would argue unwise – changes in social policy that the UK has seen for many years.
The bill, which starts its report stage in the House of Commons this Friday, would allow adults with a terminal prognosis of six months or less to have their lives ended on the NHS. This would start a profound shift in the role of the health service and in society’s view about the importance of human life.
The result would be the devaluing of life – an assumption that the lives of some people facing physical challenges and vulnerability are no longer worth living, or saving, warns Lord Mark Harper.
Read the full comment piece here:
Kim Leadbeater’s assisted dying Bill is a disaster waiting to happen
McFadden: Backlash to Starmer's 'island of strangers' speech 'way overblown'
08:38 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
The backlash to Sir Keir Starmer’s controversial speech on migration has been “way overblown”, a senior Cabinet minister has claimed.
It came after the prime minister's claim that the UK risks becoming “island of strangers” as a result of migration was compared to inflammatory rhetoric used by Enoch Powell in his “rivers of blood” speech.
The 1968 speech whipped up a frenzy of anti-immigration hatred across the UK after it imagined a future where the white population in Britain “found themselves made strangers in their own country”.
Cabinet minister Pat McFadden, asked whether he himself would use the same language as the PM, told LBC: “Honestly, I think this has been way overblown."
And pressed on whether he would use the language himself, said: "It depends on the context. I mean, I might, because what the prime minister was talking about was, we need a society with rules. We need a society with responsibilities and obligations. And that's absolutely right. We all believe in that.”
Labour sounds 'more like Reform than Reform', says Reform MP
08:29 , Athena StavrouReform UK’s newest MP has said Labour is sounding “more like Reform than Reform”.
Sarah Pochin told Times Radio: “Reform have got them on the run. They know what the electorate want to hear.
“They’ve seen the devastating impact of our policies on their results in these latest set of elections, and so now, yes, they’re sounding more like Reform than Reform are.”
However, she said Sir Keir Starmer’s immigration policies were “just a bit of bluster, a bit of waffle”.
UK and EU 'not yet' ready to agree 'fully fledged trade deal', Cabinet minister says
08:20 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Britain and the European Union are "not yet" ready to agree a fully formed trade deal, a Cabinet minister has admitted, but argued the upcoming UK-EU summit taking place on May 19 "focuses minds".
As Sir Keir Starmer's government attempts to pursue a "reset" with the bloc after years of tense relations under successive Conservative prime ministers, there are growing hopes the UK could secure an improved trading relationship with the bloc - after unveiling a free trade deal with India earlier this month.
But asked whether the UK will be be announcing a "fully-fledged" deal with the EU at next week's summit, Mr McFadden told Sky News: "Not yet, because we're still working on it. And I think you know, all these things are are ongoing, but the May 19 meeting focuses minds. It gives us a gives us a deadline to work to. I think that helps in these negotiations.
"So I'm hoping that we'll see improvements to the Brexit deal we negotiated a few years ago - that make life a bit easier for British businesses, that make life a bit easier for our exporters, and that give us an economic boost, because that's what we need."
Minister defends UK decision to offer Trump second state visit after Carney criticism
08:08 , Athena StavrouThe Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:
Cabinet minister Pat McFadden has defended the UK's decision to offer Donald Trump a second state visit, after Canadian PM Mark Carney said the country was "not impressed".
“Every country has to decide how it conducts its own relations with other countries", the Labour MP told Sky News.
He added that the US relationship is “really important” but that “our relationship and friendship with Canada is really important too”.
Mr McFadden also said he is "completely relaxed" about Mr Carney's comments, adding: “We’ve got free speech in the world. Prime Minister Carney is entitled to his view."
"I’m glad that President Trump is coming on a state visit, and I’m particularly glad that we’ve conducted a trade deal that saves thousands of automotive jobs in this country and is a platform for future trade which can benefit the United Kingdom economically more in the future too", he said.
12,000 civil service jobs to be moved out of London
08:05 , Athena StavrouThousands of civil service roles are set to be moved out of London.
The government is looking to move 12,000 jobs out of the capital and close 11 offices in a bid to save £94mn a year by 2032.
The move will see officials be relocated to Manchester and Aberden, where two new government campuses will be opened.
Starmer’s immigration plans aren’t just mean-spirited, they’re anti-growth
08:00So, what are we to make of Keir Starmer’s “serious, pragmatic” reforms of migration rules?
Making it harder for people to come to this country to work and study may bring down immigration numbers – but it will also be economically counterproductive, says Jonathan Portes.
Read the full comment piece here:
Starmer’s immigration plans aren’t just mean-spirited, they’re anti-growth
Starmer to face tough questions at PMQs today
07:46 , Athena StavrouSir Keir Starmer is set to face tough questions during Prime Minister’s Questions later today.
The prime minister has faced backlash from all sides - including from members of his own party - this week.
After unveiling the government’s new immigration reforms, with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticised Sir Keir and said Labour doesn’t believe in secure borders.
Union bosses and some Labour MPs have also criticised the prime minister for rhetoric used during his speech on Monday.
Starmer ‘completely rejects’ claims he echoed Enoch Powell in migration speech
07:42 , Athena StavrouSir Keir Starmer “completely rejects” suggestions he echoed Enoch Powell in a major speech on immigration, and stands by his words, Downing Street has said.
Sir Keir warned the UK risked becoming an “island of strangers” if migration controls were not tightened, in the speech setting out plans to crack down on legal migration into the UK on Monday.
Critics, including backbench Labour MPs, have raised concerns about the language, with some comparing it to a similar passage from Mr Powell’s infamous 1968 “rivers of blood” speech.
“We completely reject that comparison,” he told reporters.
“The Prime Minister rejects those comparisons and absolutely stands behind the argument he was making that migrants make a massive contribution to our country, but migration needs to be controlled.”
Immigration measures will fuel ‘exodus’ of migrant nurses, union warns
07:38 , Athena StavrouThousands of migrant nursing staff are ready to leave the UK, with new Government measures aimed at curbing immigration set to accelerate the “exodus”, a union boss has warned.
A survey by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) of 3,000 migrant nurses found more than four in 10 (42 per cent) internationally educated nurses are planning to leave the country.
Of those, 70% said this was down to pay, while 40% said immigration policies impacted their decision.
The report also found that of the nurses planning to leave, two thirds intend to move to a place that is not their home country.
Starmer accused of ‘hostile environment on steroids’ in immigration clampdown
07:35 , Athena StavrouSir Keir Starmer has been accused of creating a “hostile environment on steroids” as he continues to face backlash for language he used in speech unveiling new immigration measures.
A survey by the Royal College of Nursing of 3,000 migrant nurses found more than four in 10 (42%) internationally educated nurses are planning to leave the country.
Royal College of Nursing general secretary Professor Nicola Ranger, said: "Our report shows thousands of migrant nursing staff are ready to leave the UK. This situation is bad enough, but now the government's cruel measures could do great damage to key services."
She added: "Closing the care worker visa route and making migrant nursing staff wait longer to access vital benefits is the hostile environment on steroids.”
