Humza Yousaf: Immigration gamble by Labour a dangerous mistake

[Social Media]

 

Labour’s Rightward Shift on Immigration Risks Empowering Farage, Not Defeating Him

 

Labour’s recent rhetoric on immigration signals a troubling turn in British politics. In his latest intervention, Sir Keir Starmer warned that the UK could become an “island of strangers,” a phrase that, intentionally or not, recalls the divisive undertones of Enoch Powell’s notorious “Rivers of Blood” speech. By framing immigration in these terms, Starmer is not just pandering to public anxieties — he is echoing a narrative long promoted by the far-right, now epitomized by Nigel Farage and his Reform Party.

 

Powell’s 1968 speech cast immigration as an existential threat to British identity, fuelling decades of hostile policies and racial division. Starmer’s use of “strangers” may be less explicit, but it carries the same implication: that foreign customs, languages, and loyalties dilute the nation’s cohesion. It’s a dog-whistle to those who blame migrants for overwhelmed services, economic hardship, and social change — a sentiment that ignores Britain’s reliance on migration for its prosperity.

 

Nobody argues for unregulated borders. But there is a world of difference between managed migration and the kind of punitive restrictions Labour now seems to champion. In England’s NHS, around 35% of doctors are from overseas. In Scotland alone, more than 10,000 social care roles are filled by skilled migrants. These workers aren’t burdens — they are lifelines. They keep our health system running, support vulnerable citizens, and plug critical gaps in hospitality, construction, logistics, and tech.

 

Labour’s plans to restrict student visas, eliminate social care routes, and tighten skilled migration betray a basic misunderstanding: Britain needs immigration to function. The Office for National Statistics projects that without continued migration, the UK’s working-age population will decline by more than four million by 2030. Across Europe, the shortfall in labor is expected to reach 45 million by 2050. Refusing to acknowledge this reality in favor of political point-scoring invites slower growth, wage inflation, and national decline.

 

The proposal to eliminate social-care visas is particularly cruel. Donald MacAskill, director of Scottish Care, has rightly warned that this move would leave thousands of dementia patients and elderly citizens without adequate support. Stripping away a lifeline for dedicated carers in an ageing nation does not solve a political dilemma — it creates a social crisis.

 

Labour’s belief that it can win over Reform Party voters by adopting similar policies and rhetoric is fundamentally flawed. They cannot out-Farage Farage. By mimicking the language of exclusion and suspicion, Labour risks validating and strengthening the very forces it hopes to neutralize.

Instead of retreating into reactionary territory, Labour — and all progressive parties — must articulate a positive vision for immigration. This means recognising the value of attracting talented, hard-working individuals from around the world. Imagine a country that welcomes nurses from Southeast Asia, engineers from Eastern Europe, and tech pioneers from the Indian subcontinent — and then invests in their success through robust language training and professional development.

 

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar’s recent call to “cut immigration across the board” is both disappointing and politically tone-deaf. Under today’s rules, neither his father nor mine would have been allowed to enter the UK. Yet both built successful lives here and contributed immensely to their communities and the economy. Sarwar’s pledge to stand up to Starmer now rings hollow as he stays silent while Labour backtracks on support for WASPI women, cuts winter fuel payments, and slashes disability benefits.

 

As the proud grandson of immigrants, I know the sacrifices and dreams that shaped our families. My grandparents toiled in factories and restaurants so their children and grandchildren could thrive. At one point, Britain was rightly proud to have a Muslim Mayor of London, a Hindu Prime Minister, and a Scottish-Pakistani First Minister — a powerful symbol of multicultural success, not failure.

 

I commend Scotland’s current First Minister for taking a firm stand against the vile rhetoric of Reform and upholding values of inclusion and dignity. If more leaders had such courage, Britain might not be staring down the possibility of Nigel Farage holding the keys to No. 10. We need principled leadership now more than ever — not political expediency dressed as pragmatism.

 

— Humza Yousaf is a Scottish politician who served as First Minister of Scotland and Leader of the Scottish National Party.

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from LBC News  2025-05-20

 

 

[Tiger1980]

The last I heard of this clown, he was complaining that the majority of public leaders in Scotland are white.

[Nick Carter icp]

1 minute ago, Tiger1980 said:

The last I heard of this clown, he was complaining that the majority of public leaders in Scotland are white.

 

   He then diverted 250 000 Pounds in aid money destined to Africa and diverted it to Hamas 

[JonnyF]

No surprise.

 

He hates white people in positions of power.

 

He is a racist. 

[Patong2021]

 At one point, Britain was rightly proud to have a Muslim Mayor of London, a Hindu Prime Minister, and a Scottish-Pakistani First Minister — a powerful symbol of multicultural success, not failure.

 

Pride goes before the downfall does it not? The Mayor of London is a bigot and panders to his muslim and radical labour  voting bloc, neglecting those who do not share their views. Poor Sunak was a dud as PM. Probably a decent fellow, but oh my, he was lost  and overwhelmed. And as for the  menace who was  Scotland's first minister, , he was the gift the Scottish  people deserved. It was a wake up call they needed.  They were and are three of the UK's  biggest losers.

[Bday Prang]

14 hours ago, Social Media said:

the far-right, now epitomized by Nigel Farage and his Reform Party.

and of course anybody who votes for them

What a statement for any journalist to make , far right ?

[Nick Carter icp]

14 hours ago, Social Media said:

As the proud grandson of immigrants, I know the sacrifices and dreams that shaped our families. My grandparents toiled in factories and restaurants so their children and grandchildren could thrive.

 

   So did everyone else's Grandparents , not just Grandparents of immigrants

[The Cyclist]

7 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   So did everyone else's Grandparents , not just Grandparents of immigrants

 

No No No

 

All is whities  were born with silver spoons in our gobs. We wouldn't know what graft is.