Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has demanded Sir Keir Starmer declares a national emergency in response to 10,000 migrants crossing the Channel in 2025 so far.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Farage warned that asylum seekers being housed in hotels and private accommodation was leading to "resentment" in some communities.
While being heckled by other MPs, the Clacton MP said: "Is it not time to admit that smash the gangs was nothing more than an election slogan, not a policy, and isn't it time to declare a national emergency and to act accordingly?"
Invoking Vote Leave’s 2016 take back control slogan, Starmer replied: “We are passing a Borders Bill with extensive powers to smash the gangs.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage quizzes Sir Keir Starmer over migration
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"These are terrorist-like powers that give powers to the police to intercept where they think the suspects are committing people smuggling which is a vile trade and we must take back control of our borders after the last Government lost control.”
The Prime Minister went on to blast Reform UK for not supporting Labour's plan and doubled-down on his comments about the populist party's plans for the NHS.
Starmer also found time to swipe at Farage after reports emerged that revealed Reform UK figures had met with ex-Prime Minister Liz Truss to discuss the inner workings of Whitehall.
The Prime Minister accused Farage of recruiting Truss, whose legacy remains tarnished following the fall-out of her disastrous mini-budget, as his “new top adviser.
Sir Keir Starmer fired back against the Clacton MP
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The fiery row comes just days after GB News exclusively revealed that the number of small boat arrivals soared past 10,000 on Monday.
Calm conditions in the Channel sparked a flurry of crossings, with more attempts expected as Britons bask in a mini-heatwave.
Farage’s decision to slam Starmer comes just days after the Reform UK leader unveiled his four-point plan to tackle the migrant crisis.
The Clacton MP reitered his commitment to leaving the European Convention on Human Rights, vowed to implement a “net zero” migration plan, create a Deportations Minister and boot out all foreign criminals.
Nigel Farage is expected to make gains in tomorrow's Local Elections
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Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer recently revealed deportations topped 24,000 since Labour came to power.
Speaking at the Organised Crime Summit in London last month, the Prime Minister said: “It’s unfair on ordinary working people who pay the price from the cost of hotels to our public services, struggling under the strain, and it's unfair on the illegal migrants themselves, because these are vulnerable people being ruthlessly exploited by vile gangs.”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper also this week unveiled plans to block foreign sex offenders from gaining asylum.
She said: “We are restoring order to a broken asylum system that has been mired in delay and dysfunction for far too long, and we are strengthening our system to make sure that the rules are respected and enforced.
“Sex offenders who pose a risk to the community should not be allowed to benefit from refugee protections in the UK.
Migrants arrive in KentPA“We are strengthening the law to ensure these appalling crimes are taken seriously.”
Immigration remains a major voter in the minds of voters ahead of polls opening in tomorrow’s Local Elections.
A new opinion poll, conducted by More in Common, found two-third of those planning to vote for Reform UK tomorrow said their most important concern was “national policies on immigration”.
Meanwhile, a plurality of Labour, Tory and Liberal Democrat voters cited competency at running local councils are the most important factor.
Despite the divide, Reform UK counts down for polls to open with a one-point lead over Kemi Badenoch’s Tories - 26 per cent to 25 per cent.
Labour is languishing in a rather distant third on 18 per cent, with the Liberal Democrats breathing down Sir Keir Starmer’s neck on 17 per cent.
