Sir Keir Starmer faces mounting Starmer immigration pressure after another weekend of protests outside asylum hotels. Demonstrations and counterprotests flared across several cities, highlighting the political tension around the small boats crisis.
A new poll revealed that 71% of voters believe the prime minister is failing to handle the asylum issue effectively. That figure includes more than half of Labour supporters, showing dissatisfaction across the political spectrum.
The survey, conducted by YouGov, asked 2,153 people about the most urgent national problems. Immigration and asylum ranked first with 37%, overtaking the economy at 25% and health at just 7%. The data underlined how immigration has become the country’s most divisive subject.
So far this year, 28,076 people have crossed the English Channel in small boats. That number is 46% higher than during the same period in 2024. Officials warn that the crisis shows no sign of slowing, despite government promises to speed up removals. Official figures released in August reported 111,084 asylum applications in the 12 months to June 2025. That is the highest total since records began in 2001.
Protests outside these hotels have often been met with counterprotests, creating tense and sometimes violent scenes. Police were forced to intervene in Liverpool and Norwich, separating groups after heated clashes. Ministers now expect further legal battles over the continued use of hotels for asylum seekers.
The Green Party also weighed in. Carla Denyer, co-leader and MP for Bristol Central, warned that political rhetoric has encouraged extremism. She said, “The far right feels emboldened and validated when mainstream parties echo their language.” Also, she added that she personally faced escalating threats, including violent abuse that required police involvement. She said such actions would not silence her or stop her from challenging government policy.
Meanwhile, Starmer has attempted to convince the public that his government can control immigration. New measures include a fast-track appeals process designed to clear backlogs and accelerate removals. However, critics argue that these changes fail to address the scale of the crisis.
The combination of rising crossings, packed hotels, and public unease has created a volatile situation. The Starmer immigration pressure reflects both the urgency of the problem and the difficulty of finding workable solutions.
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