Diane Abbott Condemns Starmer’s Immigration Rhetoric as Deeply Racist

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Diane Abbott Condemns Starmer’s Immigration Rhetoric as Deeply Racist

 

Veteran MP Diane Abbott has sharply criticised Prime Minister Keir Starmer, calling his recent immigration speech “fundamentally racist” and accusing him of aligning with right-wing populist rhetoric. Speaking at a mass anti-austerity rally in London, the UK’s first Black woman MP voiced alarm at the language used by Starmer in a speech where he described Britain as potentially becoming an “island of strangers.”

 

 

Abbott, addressing the crowd gathered for the demonstration organised by The People’s Assembly, said she was “very disturbed” by Starmer’s comments. “He talked about closing the book on a squalid chapter for our politics – immigrants represent a squalid chapter,” she said. “He talked about how he thought immigration has done incalculable damage to this green and pleasant land, which, of course, is nonsense – immigrants built this land.”

 

The Prime Minister’s remarks, delivered last month as part of a new government initiative to tighten immigration rules, have drawn criticism from many on the political left. Abbott went so far as to compare Starmer’s language to Enoch Powell’s infamous “Rivers of Blood” speech of 1968, which has long been seen as a turning point in the legitimisation of xenophobic rhetoric in British politics.

 

“He talked about closing the book on a squalid chapter for our politics – immigrants represent a squalid chapter,” Abbott repeated. “And finally, he said we risk becoming an island of strangers. I thought that was a fundamentally racist thing to say. It is contrary to Britain’s history.”

 

She also questioned the political strategy behind the Prime Minister’s rhetoric, accusing him of mimicking far-right figures in an attempt to claw back support. “I think Keir Starmer is quite wrong to say that the way that you beat Reform is to copy Reform,” she said, referencing Nigel Farage’s Reform Party.

 

The anti-austerity march brought together thousands of demonstrators in central London, unified in opposition to the Government’s economic programme, which includes spending cuts and welfare reforms. Alongside Abbott were representatives from several left-wing organisations, including the Green Party, the RMT union, the NEU, and the Revolutionary Communist Party. A spokesperson for The People’s Assembly condemned the government’s policies, stating: “Real tough choices would be for a Labour government to tax the rich and their hidden wealth, to fund public services, fair pay, investment in communities and the NHS.”

 

Pressure is mounting on Starmer from within his own party, particularly from senior figures on the left. Recently, the Prime Minister reversed a controversial plan to cut the winter fuel allowance, a move that would have impacted 10 million pensioners. A major change to the two-child benefit cap is also reportedly under consideration, amid widespread concern over its contribution to child poverty.

 

Further evidence of internal discord emerged with the revelation of a confidential memo from Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner to Chancellor Rachel Reeves. The memo, disclosed by The Telegraph, advocated for increased taxation instead of spending cuts to address budgetary gaps—a clear sign of policy disagreement at the top of government.

 

Abbott’s position within the Labour Party has been under scrutiny since 2023, when she had the whip withdrawn over a letter she wrote to the Observer in which she controversially argued that Jews could suffer prejudice but not racism. Though she apologised, the incident cast doubt on her future as a Labour candidate. In the lead-up to the most recent general election, she was reinstated, but speculation persisted that she would be barred from standing again in her long-held Hackney North and Stoke Newington constituency. After growing political pressure, Starmer clarified that she was “free to stand” if she chose to.

 

Now the longest-serving woman MP in the House of Commons, Diane Abbott remains a powerful voice on the left, continuing to challenge her party’s direction under Starmer’s leadership.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Telegraph  2025-06-09

 

 

[Dionigi]

first of all Diane Abbot should be thrown out of parliament for showing solidarity with a terrorist organisation, secondly if you are talking about immigrants they are not british therefore all conversations are racist. Maybe she confuses race with colour.

[JonnyF]

This is the same woman who said racism against Jews isn't actually racism, and that being Jewish is just like being Ginger.

 

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/uks-labour-suspends-diane-abbott-saying-jews-experience-prejudice-not-racism-2023-04-23/

 

The same woman who wears odd shoes on election day, including a left shoe on her right foot. Who gets caught chugging alcohol on public transport and who thinks you can employ 10,000 police officers for 4 years for a total cost of 300,000 pounds.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2017-39775693

 

She is a national embarrassment and should be ignored, especially when playing her worn out race card. 

 

 

[mikeymike100]

"he described Britain as potentially becoming an “island of strangers.”

 

Well he's not wrong for a change?