Migrant raid films criticised as attempt to mimic Reform

Starmer accused of trying to appease right as footage timed to coincide with second reading of Labour’s immigration bill

- DAVID MADDOX

Sir Keir Starmer's government has been accused of trying to mimic Nigel Farage's Reform party by publishing videos of raids on migrants accused of working illegally in Britain. Release of the footage is part of a crackdown on those entering the country illegally but echoes similar initiatives by Rishi Sunak’s Tory government that were criticised by Labour and others.

The raids are being publicised as home secretary Yvette Cooper’s landmark Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill returns to parliament for its second reading in the Commons today. But the films have been criticised by human rights groups and MPs for being “melodramatic”.

The Refugee Council said the government was using “performative” stunts to try to promote division, while former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas said it was “sickening” to see Labour try to appease Reform. Veteran Labour MP and former shadow home secretary Diane Abbott accused Sir Keir of turning Labour into “Reform-lite”.

But with yet another poll published over the weekend suggesting that Reform UK is in the lead, and the party celebrating its accrual of 200,000 members, Mr Farage claimed the action was being taken because he has “terrified” the Labour Party. Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner is one of scores of Labour MPs who could be ousted by Reform at the next election on current projections.