Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued a stark warning that racism is returning to British politics, creating an atmosphere of fear across the country and threatening to tear the nation apart.
Confronting the 'Toxic Division' of Reform UK
In a powerful interview broadcast on ITV's Lorraine show on Tuesday, Starmer directly confronted what he described as the 'toxic division' of Nigel Farage's Reform UK. Speaking with GP and television personality Amir Khan, the Labour leader expressed deep concern about the resurgence of political rhetoric that he believed Britain had overcome decades ago.
'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 stated during the interview.
The Prime Minister drew clear battle lines between what he termed Labour's 'patriotic national renewal' and the approach taken by Reform and other right-wing groups. He emphasised that being British should mean demonstrating 'concern for others, being reasonable, tolerant and compassionate'.
Strongest Signal Yet on Two-Child Benefit Cap
In the same interview, Starmer delivered his clearest indication to date that the controversial two-child benefit cap will be lifted in the upcoming budget. When questioned about scrapping the limit - which charities identify as the primary driver of child poverty in the UK - the Prime Minister responded with determination.
'I can tell you in no uncertain terms I am determined to drive child poverty down,' Starmer declared. He highlighted measures already introduced by his government, including:
- Expansion of free school meals
- Establishment of breakfast clubs
- Enhanced childcare support
When pressed specifically on whether his commitment meant lifting the two-child cap, Starmer responded: '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.'
This position was reinforced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who told BBC Radio 5 Live on Monday that 'a child should not be penalised because their parents don't have very much money.' The Resolution Foundation estimates that completely removing the limit would cost approximately £3.5 billion by 2029-30.
Echoing Broader Concerns About Rising Racism
Starmer's comments align with concerns raised by other senior government figures. Health Secretary Wes Streeting had previously warned that an 'ugly' racism reminiscent of the 1970s and 1980s had become worryingly commonplace again, with NHS staff particularly affected.
In an interview with the Guardian earlier this month, Streeting noted that incidents of verbal and physical abuse based on skin colour now occur so frequently that racism has become 'socially acceptable' in some quarters.
Starmer had previously used his speech at the Labour party conference in September to establish political battle lines with Farage, describing the choice facing voters as 'a defining choice' and 'a fight for the soul of our country'.
The Prime Minister vowed to combat anyone arguing that non-white individuals cannot be English or British, or that families who have lived in the UK for generations should be deported. He characterised those promoting such views as 'an enemy of national renewal'.
'If you incite racist violence and hatred, that is not expressing concern: it's criminal,' Starmer told conference activists. '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.'
The Prime Minister's strong stance signals the government's determination to address both the rising tide of divisive politics and the pressing issue of child poverty as key priorities in the coming months.
