Former deputy prime minister says Labour’s immigration changes are ‘un-British’ and Starmer must respond to fall in party’s popularity
Angela Rayner has said the very survival of the Labour party is at stake and warned Keir Starmer that he “cannot go through the motions” in the face of declining support.
In a speech at campaign group Mainstream’s spring reception, the former deputy prime minister said she believed the government was “running out of time” to show it can deliver the change that the public needs.
In what will be seen as a major intervention, Rayner said it was “un-British” to move the goalposts on indefinite leave to remain, putting her at odds with the government’s key immigration proposal of increasing the standard qualifying period for permanent residence from five to 10 years.
Rayner said on Tuesday evening in London: “It is down to us to rebuild this nation and this party – the question is are we up for this fight? I know we in this room are.
