More than 130 refugee and human rights organisations have urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to stop using language they say demonises migrants. The open letter follows remarks he made before an international summit in London focused on tackling people smuggling, where he stated: “We all pay the price for insecure borders from the cost of accommodating migrants to the strain on our public services.”
The organisations, coordinated by Together With Refugees, said his comments risk fuelling division and hostility, warning against a return to the “hostile politics” of the past. They argued that blaming migrants for public service strain ignores the real issues and contributes to rising tensions, especially after last summer’s violent anti-immigrant incidents.
Campaigners say the government should be focusing on safe routes for refugees and building a fair, compassionate asylum system instead of relying on tougher border enforcement. Tim Naor Hilton of Refugee Action said Starmer’s rhetoric could fuel more racist and anti-immigrant sentiment, while One Strong Voice’s Nico Ndlovu said the prime minister’s comments failed to acknowledge the suffering and contributions of people seeking safety.
In response, a government spokesperson defended Starmer’s stance, saying there is nothing compassionate about ignoring the criminal gangs who exploit vulnerable people.
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