Starmer and Labour have spent years weakening Britain’s ability to defend her borders. Every time a policy was proposed to deter illegal immigration or deport those who have no right to be here, Labour was there to shout it down, vote against it, and run to the courts to stop it, says Claire Bullivant.
By any measure, today’s net migration figures are astonishing. Yet what is even more astonishing is the breathtaking audacity of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s response.
At a press conference in Downing Street, he blamed… wait for it… Brexit, for what he called a “one nation experiment in open borders.”
Let’s pause and unpack this, because the irony is so thick you could cut it with a butter knife. Here is a man who openly campaigned for more asylum seekers in 2015. Keir Starmer, then a fresh-faced MP, proudly tweeted, “Thanks to all those signing the petition—we need urgent action to take refugees and review ineffective asylum rules.” That petition, in case you’re wondering, demanded that the UK “accept more asylum seekers and increase support.” His words, not mine.
This is the same Keir Starmer whose party voted over 130 times against measures to stop illegal immigration, including blocking the Rwanda plan that would have served as a powerful deterrent to those seeking to abuse Britain’s asylum system. Labour even opposed policies to deport foreign criminals. And now, after actively undermining efforts to control the borders, he has the gall to stand before the British public and suggest that Brexit—the very policy designed to regain control over immigration—has somehow been twisted into a tool for “open borders.”
The Pot Calling the Kettle Open Borders
Let’s not mince words: Starmer’s record on immigration is one of unabashed liberalisation. He has consistently pushed for more asylum seekers, more relaxed rules, and more taxpayer support for migrants. His party stopped deportation flights, thwarted border control measures, and killed the one plan that had genuine potential to curb illegal migration—the Rwanda scheme. And now, with a straight face, he accuses the Conservatives of engineering open borders? It’s beyond hypocrisy; it’s satire. Nothing has hindered Brexit’s potential of protecting our borders more than Starmer and his cohort of left-leaning lawyers.
Nothing has hindered Brexit’s potential of protecting our borders more than Starmer and his cohort of left-leaning lawyers.
The truth is clear to anyone paying attention. The current migration crisis is not the fault of Brexit—it’s the fault of spineless governance and obstructionist opposition. Starmer and Labour have spent years weakening Britain’s ability to defend its borders. Every time a policy was proposed to deter illegal immigration or deport those who have no right to be here, Labour was there to shout it down, vote against it, and run to the courts to stop it.
Is Starmer Delusional or Deceptive?
Starmer’s claim that Brexit has somehow created an open borders experiment is either a complete misunderstanding of the issue or a deliberate attempt to mislead. Brexit was about taking back control—control of our laws, our money, and, crucially, our borders. If Britain is failing to enforce its immigration laws, that failure lies not with Brexit, but with the lack of political will to implement robust policies.
By blaming Brexit, Starmer reveals his disdain for the millions of Britons who voted to leave the EU precisely because they wanted control over immigration. Instead of addressing his party’s abysmal record, he is deflecting blame in a manner that insults both their intelligence and their democratic choices.
A Record of Weakness
A tweet from Starmer’s in 2015, advocating for more asylum seekers, speaks volumes about his true stance on immigration. His voting record, his opposition to the Rwanda plan, and his party’s relentless efforts to block border control measures paint a picture of a man who prioritises liberal ideology over the security and prosperity of the British people.
What is most galling is his attempt to rewrite history. Starmer wants us to forget his past advocacy for open borders and instead focus on a narrative where he is the saviour of British sovereignty. It’s a blatant attempt to gaslight the electorate, and it’s not working.
The Real Culprits
Tony Blair signing us up to the ECHR and Labour’s fingerprints are all over this crisis. Their actions in governance and opposition have made it harder to enforce the laws we already had and to deter those who exploit our system.
Starmer’s hypocrisy knows no bounds. He campaigned for more asylum seekers, opposed every effective measure to control immigration, and now blames Brexit for the consequences of policies he and his party supported.
Conclusion: Who’s the Real Experiment?
The only “experiment” happening here is Starmer’s attempt to hoodwink the British public. He hopes we’ll forget his past, ignore his party’s actions, and buy into his narrative of Tory-engineered chaos. But the facts don’t lie. Keir Starmer’s record on immigration is one of weakness, hypocrisy, and betrayal. Britain deserves better than a Prime Minister who can’t even be honest about his own past.
Claire Bullivant, Editor
Claire is the founder and editor of the Conservative Post and was a co-founder of the Conservative Democratic Organisation. Claire is now setting up www.GreatBritishPAC.com. Pre-register today.
