PM 'focused on his global image...not fixing crisis'

The former Tory MP for Clwyd West, who stood down at the last election, added: "The agreement is vague, unenforceable and won't stop a single boat. In fact, it's so weak it may well encourage the people-traffickers.

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"While Starmer schmoozes world leaders and racks up his air miles, British communities are left to deal with the consequences of unchecked migration.

"This isn't leadership, it's performative politics from a man more focused on his global image than on fixing the crisis at home.'

In the latest evidence of worry at the top of the Government about the rise of Reform UK - which at 29% in the latest Techne poll is ahead of both Labour (22%) and the Conservatives (18%) - Sir Keir took a swipe at the party's leader Nigel Farage.

The PM said: "Farage is terrified of this Government succeeding at stopping illegal migration. He doesn't want the numbers to go down because he knows that when they do, he'll fade into irrelevance.

"I'm not going to stop working day and night to secure our borders, smash the gangs and make Britain a fairer, more secure country."

But a Reform source shot back: "The idea that Nigel Farage wants terrorists, sexual offenders and common criminals to come into our country, at huge cost to the taxpayer, is laughable.

"It is incredibly arrogant of a Prime Minister who has overseen record numbers to now tell us he will stop this invasion of illegals. We have heard it all before."