UK Faith Leaders Urge Starmer to Dampen Migration Talk

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LONDON: Religious leaders in the UK are urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to reconsider his rhetoric on migration, expressing concerns that his statements could deepen societal divides and fuel public anxiety.

As Starmer has defended his stricter policies, faith leaders are advocating for a kinder approach, emphasizing the significant contributions of migrants to the nation.

This week, Starmer, leading the Labour Party, unveiled new stringent measures aimed at addressing high migration levels, driven by a loss of support to far-right factions. In a recent speech, he warned that the UK risks becoming "an island of strangers," drawing unnerving parallels to Enoch Powell’s infamous "rivers of blood" speech from 1968, which warned of the repercussions of unchecked immigration.

Downing Street has categorically dismissed those comparisons, but religious leaders—including bishops from the Church of England as well as senior clerics from the Muslim and Jewish faiths—have urged Starmer to "reconsider the language used by the government."

Their letter cautioned, "Our worry is that the current narrative, which showcases only one viewpoint, is likely to exacerbate public anxiety and entrench divisions." They further warned that framing migration as "incalculably" damaging could harm migrant communities and empower divisive factions.

Starmer, a former human rights attorney, has alarmed some colleagues in Parliament with his firm stance; a recent YouGov poll revealed that half of Labour voters now harbor negative opinions about him.

The group of 25 signatories has called for a "more compassionate narrative," highlighting how many migrants have woven themselves into the nation’s fabric. "Without them, our country would be significantly poorer," they asserted.

The Prime Minister’s proposals include limiting recruitment from overseas in the social care sector, extending the period required for migrants to qualify for residency, and implementing new powers to deport foreign criminals.

The religious leaders noted that those who arrived in the UK legally under prior government guidelines are contributing to society by working and paying taxes. "Describing their situation as unfair only fuels a politics of grievance and division," they remarked.

This letter followed Starmer’s speech on Monday, as reported by The Guardian. A spokesperson from Downing Street stated: "We recognize that migrants make a tremendous contribution to the UK and would never undermine that. Britain is a welcoming and inclusive nation, but the public expects newcomers to learn the language and integrate into society."

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