Starmer warns of rising racism in UK politics and pledges action

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
Today 15:37

Keir Starmer warns that racism in UK politics is resurging, calling out Reform UK’s rhetoric as divisive. He also signals the two-child benefit cap may be lifted to combat child poverty in the UK.

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria Starmer arrive at the Royal Albert Hall for the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance, in London, on November 8, 2025. (Jack Taylor, Pool Photo via AP)

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has warned that racism in UK politics is returning in a way not seen for decades, accusing hard-right figures of using divisive rhetoric that is "tearing our country apart" and making people "very scared."

In an interview with GP and television presenter Amir Khan aired Tuesday on ITV’s Lorraine, Starmer directly criticized Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, warning that its political messaging marks a resurgence of the racist politics “that frankly I thought we had dealt with decades ago.”

Starmer positioned Reform UK and others on the far-right as key drivers of growing political division in the UK. He drew a line between Labour’s vision of "patriotic national renewal" and what he described as the "toxic division" promoted by Farage and similar voices. "Some of the rhetoric we’re hearing, racist rhetoric, divisive rhetoric, that frankly I thought we had dealt with decades ago, is returning to politics, and it makes people feel very scared," Starmer said.

He urged the public to resist these narratives and embrace a definition of British identity rooted in “concern for others,” “tolerance,” and “compassion.”

Government signals shift on two-child benefit cap

The prime minister also gave a strong signal that the government may lift the controversial two-child benefit cap in the upcoming budget, a policy that has long been criticised by anti-poverty organisations. Asked about whether the cap, which charities describe as the largest driver of child poverty in the UK, would be scrapped, Starmer responded: “I can tell you in no uncertain terms I am determined to drive child poverty down.”

He pointed to initiatives already introduced, such as free school meals, breakfast clubs, and expanded childcare, but added, “We need to do more than that, and I can look you in the eye and tell you I am personally committed to driving down child poverty.”

When pressed further, Starmer said, "I wouldn’t be telling you we are going to drive down child poverty if I wasn’t clear that we will be taking a number of measures in order to do so."

On Monday, Chancellor Rachel Reeves reinforced that message, stating on BBC Radio 5 Live: “In the end, a child should not be penalised because their parents don’t have very much money.” Ministers are reportedly preparing to fully remove the cap, which the Resolution Foundation estimates would cost £3.5 billion by 2029–30.

Labour’s stance on national renewal and unity

Starmer used the interview to emphasize the Labour Party’s vision for national renewal and social cohesion, drawing a stark contrast with the divisive language used by Reform UK.

He declared that while public concerns around issues like immigration were valid, there remained a “moral line” that Farage and others had crossed.

In his Labour Party conference speech earlier this year, Starmer stated, “If you incite racist violence and hatred, that is not expressing concern: it’s criminal. This party – this great party – is proud of our flags, yet if they are painted alongside graffiti, telling a Chinese takeaway owner to ‘go home’, that’s not pride; that’s racism.”

He added that those who argue that non-white individuals cannot be considered English or British were “an enemy of national renewal.”

NHS staff and minorities facing rising abuse, says Streeting

UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting has also recently warned of a worrying rise in racial abuse across the UK. Speaking to The Guardian, Streeting described an environment where both verbal and physical abuse had become “socially acceptable,” particularly for National Health Service staff.

“We’ve got to call time on racism in this country and we’ve got to put that ugly racist sentiment that’s found expression in our country back in its box,” Streeting said. He compared the current atmosphere to the 1970s and 1980s, calling the resurgence of racism in UK politics “ugly” and deeply troubling.