Keir Starmer has caused intense backlash after claiming Britain risks “becoming an island of strangers” while unveiling his crackdown on immigration.
The prime minister announced his plans to reform the system on Monday morning by warning about what could happen to the UK unless migration numbers are cut.
He said countries rely on “fair rules”, adding: “In a diverse nation like ours, and I celebrate that, these rules become even more important.
“Without them, we risk becoming an island of strangers, not a nation that walks forward together.”
These remarks sparked fury among Starmer’s online critics – and even drew comparisons to former Tory shadow defence secretary Enoch Powell’s infamous “Rivers of Blood” speech from 1968.
That controversial address slammed the growing rates of immigration to the UK since World War 2. It was so divisive, Powell was dismissed from the shadow cabinet the following day.
But some people on social media saw a similarity with Starmer’s own speech today…
Is Starmer competing with Enoch Powell’s rivers of blood speech ? ‘ Island of Strangers’ ? Is this what 10 months in powers has reduced him to ? Instead of redistributing wealth & fighting corruption he’s become a shameful mouthpiece for obscene wealth & inequality.
— Tanita Tikaram💙 (@tanita_tikaram) May 12, 2025
Enoch Powell in the ‘rivers of blood’ speech:
‘But while, to the immigrant, entry to this country was admission to privileges and opportunities, the impact upon the existing population was very different. For they found themselves made strangers in their own country.’ https://t.co/2Dn6ZLpyNc
— Elliot Dugdale (@ElliotDugdale) May 12, 2025
It also drew comparisons to Theresa May’s claim in 2016 that, “If you believe you are a citizen of the world, you are a citizen of nowhere. You don’t understand what citizenship means.”
Theresa May – ‘Citizens of Nowhere’
Keir Starmer – ‘Island of Strangers’
— Daniel York Loh (@DanielYorkLoh) May 12, 2025
‘Island of strangers’ sounds alarmingly like ‘citizens of nowhere’. https://t.co/gVSqCDLZRt
— richardlafette (@RichardLafette) May 12, 2025
People also questioned if there was much accuracy to Starmer’s claim…
Sad to hear Keir Starmer saying immigration is turning the UK into an “island of strangers”. People who have moved here from other countries are my friends and neighbours, not strangers.
— Helena Horton (@horton_official) May 12, 2025
…and pointed out that there would be consequences to his words.
I try not to be alarmist about Labour but if you're not white, the phrase 'island of strangers' tells an immediate story about how the government classifies you
— Zamira Rahim (@zamirarahim.bsky.social)2025-05-12T09:20:39.156Z
Others called out Starmer for being inconsistent over his support for international communities.
Keir Starmer in happier days on the 'island of strangers ' when immigrants were a jolly photo op & not an excuse for every crappy thing that happens to a nation more committed to extreme capitalism than the welfare of it's people . pic.twitter.com/UceDgJvXaI
— Tanita Tikaram💙 (@tanita_tikaram) May 12, 2025
And a few said the prime minister had not identified the right factor which was turning Brits against one another.
We're an "island of strangers" because Labour & Tory Govs turn neighbour upon neighbour to not trust each other.Dividing us on race, gender, immigration status, disability, class…*That* is the driving force of loss of community – instead, end austerity so public services can heal our society
— Cllr Anthony Carroll (@anthonycarroll.bsky.social)2025-05-12T10:57:10.374Z
But, tellingly, many said it was symptomatic of how Starmer and the Labour Party has moved further to the right.
Starmer’s line “we risk becoming an island of strangers, not a nation that walks forward together” is a powerful one that chimes with the worry we in focus groups, that the pace/scale of immigration and lack of integration expectations undermines cohesion/identity/community.
— Luke Tryl (@LukeTryl) May 12, 2025
I mean it's barely worth commenting on now, because it's clear Starmer's decided to capitulate to the far-right. But the place I know that would most fit the 'island of strangers' description is the overwhelmingly white and upper middle class neighbourhood my parents live in.
— Anna Orridge (@anna-orridge.bsky.social)2025-05-12T09:38:19.806Z
Shows how far the public has moved – and how late the political class has been to waking up to it – that just a year or two ago any minister using the phrase “island of strangers” would be accused of being racist, a throwback, fascist etc… with Labour MPs hurling the insults.
— Harry Cole (@MrHarryCole) May 12, 2025
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