Today in Focus ‘An island of strangers’: is this the Labour party voters wanted?
27 snips
May 16, 2025 
Nesrine Malik, a Guardian columnist known for her sharp insights on politics, expresses her dismay at Labour's recent shift on immigration policy. She discusses the implications of Keir Starmer's speech and reflects on the mixed reactions from Labour MPs. The conversation highlights the party's growing disconnect with traditional supporters and the identity crisis it faces. Malik critiques the harsh turn in rhetoric and policies, emphasizing the disillusionment among voters who once believed in progressive change.
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Labour MPs See Immigration Concerns
- Labour MPs acknowledge concerns about immigration as tied to fairness and economic pressures in deprived communities.
- Some believe high immigration levels may impact public services and wages, reflecting constituents' real frustrations.
Some MPs Support Tough Immigration
- Some Labour MPs from predominantly white areas share concerns on immigration and fairness, supporting Starmer's tough language.
- They argue the current immigration system is unsustainable and affects both immigrants and the country negatively.
Debate on Dog Whistling Claims
- The idea that criticism of Starmer's speech equates to dog whistling and underlying bigotry is disputed.
- Some see accusations of dog whistling as hysteria rather than grounded in fact.