Sir Keir Starmer’s speech this morning (12/05/25)

Well, those that we spoke to and engaged with did not have English accents, but I take your point, and agree.

My surgeon was from Ghana - I know because he told me in conversation. My anaesthetist was from Australia and my assistant surgeon was Spanish.

My GP was born in Lagos (I know because he told me); my breast cancer consultant was born in India (I know because he told me); my skin cancer consultant was born in the Netherlands ( I know because I looked up her CV); the doctor who treated my heart attack is German (I know because he has a German name and an accent and I asked him - we chatted in German).

Grantanow

I worry that in the eyes of many Starmer has validated Reform's racist views. Copying Refom is not a good idea. Most people are far more concerned about the cost of living, the NHS, etc., than immigration and cutting care home- related visas means poorer services for care home residents.

But people claim that being concerned about immigration isn't racist.

Doodledog Various studies have shown that in reality immigration doesn't have a great impact on the availability of jobs or wages (that's not just me claiming that).

The supply of foreign labour is threatened and immediately people start jumping up and down criticising Starmer and talking about labour shortages. The double-speak is mind-blowing - or maybe people just forget what they've claimed in the past.

The truth is that British unemployed can't just be shoe-horned into jobs for which they're not suitable. Moreover, people don't want to do jobs such as low paid delivery driving or fruit picking. Certainly there are shortages in skilled manual work - and the UK should be doing more about training.

Hopefully, now people can see the consequences of cutting off the supply of foreign labour, the lies about "taking our jobs" will be disappear.

growstuff

My GP was born in Lagos (I know because he told me); my breast cancer consultant was born in India (I know because he told me); my skin cancer consultant was born in the Netherlands ( I know because I looked up her CV); the doctor who treated my heart attack is German (I know because he has a German name and an accent and I asked him - we chatted in German).

I too have extensive experience of skin cancer and breast cancer spanning many decades. The only consultant I know was definitely born overseas was my German born oncologist. I googled him because when I mentioned his name to a friend she insisted he'd be the best because like her he was German and had obviously qualified there . He didn't tell me he was German born and trained. None, that I can recall, of my obviously not white or foreign sounding name doctors or nurses have ever felt the need to tell me where they were born. I wonder if that's because they detect I don't care and appreciate their expertise not their place of birth?

growstuff

Doodledog Various studies have shown that in reality immigration doesn't have a great impact on the availability of jobs or wages (that's not just me claiming that).

The supply of foreign labour is threatened and immediately people start jumping up and down criticising Starmer and talking about labour shortages. The double-speak is mind-blowing - or maybe people just forget what they've claimed in the past.

The truth is that British unemployed can't just be shoe-horned into jobs for which they're not suitable. Moreover, people don't want to do jobs such as low paid delivery driving or fruit picking. Certainly there are shortages in skilled manual work - and the UK should be doing more about training.

Hopefully, now people can see the consequences of cutting off the supply of foreign labour, the lies about "taking our jobs" will be disappear.

I'm not arguing with any of that. What I'm saying (badly, it seems) is that many, if not most, employers of low skilled people will take the cheapest labour they can find. It's different where levels of skill and education make a huge difference to performance, but in jobs that most people could do if someone offers to work for less money employers will take them over the person who wants a fair rate.

If the cheaper worker is living in an HMO or a caravan on the building site and intends to leave after a couple of years after making enough here to support a family abroad, there is no way someone paying a high rent can begin to compete. That is the reality for a lot of people. Of course they shouldn't blame immigrants for that situation, but they are encouraged to do so by a divisive narrative in the media, who also imply that anyone with brown skin is a Muslim, and that all Muslims are potential terrorists.

If the housing crisis could be sorted out it would make a huge difference - huge rents only benefit landlords and mean that surviving on minimum wage is all but impossible - particularly for couples with children. Selling off council houses was criminal, and refusing to allow new ones to be built with the proceeds of the sale compounded the felony.

I think he should be worried. I don't support Reform but imo they are the best of what we've got at the moment and I shall be voting for them. . Goodbye Starmer and the sooner the better imo. Not a clue why he is targeting legals. It's should be the illegals he should be targeting imo. We need the migrant social care workers. Who else will do the job unless he gets the workshy off benefits and make them work? When I'm out and about it is so noticeable to me the number of working age people, men in particular, that are out down beaches in parks and cafes. They can't all be on days off surely. Never seen so many.

He does not stop blaming the ladt government. He just doesn't see the shambles he is creating. Sooner they're out the better imo.

Stiff

He does not stop blaming the ladt government. He just doesn't see the shambles he is creating. Sooner they're out the better imo.

? The Tories were blaming the ‘last government’ for everything that went wrong even 14 years into office. Starmer has plenty of latitude to do the same thing - all governments do it.

Rosie said upthread

"Too many assumptions in general are made about people based on skin colour and names*

I have in mind Annie's post unthread where from direct experience she praises the people working there from many different backgrounds.

The criticism levelled at hospital workers upthread from Somalia is justified, but it's not because they were Somalian, it's because they were bad at their job and had inadequate language skills.

It is indeed interesting to ask what will happen to the "they're taking out jobs" brigade.

Starmer is damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t!

The truth is migration, both legal economic, legal student, and asylum Seekers has skyrocketed over the last few years.

I see no issue with a “points” system so long as we can fill roles like nursing, carers etc.

Asylum Seekers need safe legal ways to seek asylum, should be processed quickly and then either housed and employed or sent home. Not all Asylum are male “would be” criminals whatever the media likes to portray.

I see no reason why British people cannot become carers.

We employed people directly as carers as domicillary carers, the two we had for my MIL were British ladies in their late thirties and were both great, one stayed for 5 years. The other carer we employed for my own mum was a girl in her very early 20’s. She was an absolute joy, British and came in every day, on time, with a huge smile on her face.

Stiff

He does not stop blaming the ladt government. He just doesn't see the shambles he is creating. Sooner they're out the better imo.

What “shambles” is he creating, that wasn’t already in action in the last govt?

Stiff

I think he should be worried. I don't support Reform but imo they are the best of what we've got at the moment and I shall be voting for them. . Goodbye Starmer and the sooner the better imo. Not a clue why he is targeting legals. It's should be the illegals he should be targeting imo. We need the migrant social care workers. Who else will do the job unless he gets the workshy off benefits and make them work? When I'm out and about it is so noticeable to me the number of working age people, men in particular, that are out down beaches in parks and cafes. They can't all be on days off surely. Never seen so many.

The government is tackling both sorts of immigration.

How many times do we have to say that's not an either/or but that this particular White Paper is on one part where there is some misuse of visas and where we want to encourage UK citizens to take up more jobs

But that tackling irregular migration is a complexity separate issue with completely different circumstances and therefore addressed separately. There is to be more on irgualr migration later this week.

The problem as I see it is that, if everyone in this country feel that they have good access to the NHS, the roads aren't full of potholes, people can claim benefits if they need them, jobs are available for those wanting to work; social housing is available etc etc no one would bother about levels of immigration, legal or illegal. But once there doesn't appear to be money available for these things the public start blaming immigrants [even though it probably isn't down to immigration anyway] and political parties politicise it. So it becomes a viscious circle. I used to hear it all the time at work and at the gym. Can't get a doctors appointment...blame immigrants. The previous government did starve councils of funds. Reform councils are cutting back on things like maintaining war memorials. When people see that happening they won't blame the new councillors...they will blame immigrants. And they will vote Reform again because Farage said in the election leaflets that he will stop the boats albeit not saying how he will do so.

Rosie51

growstuff

My GP was born in Lagos (I know because he told me); my breast cancer consultant was born in India (I know because he told me); my skin cancer consultant was born in the Netherlands ( I know because I looked up her CV); the doctor who treated my heart attack is German (I know because he has a German name and an accent and I asked him - we chatted in German).

I too have extensive experience of skin cancer and breast cancer spanning many decades. The only consultant I know was definitely born overseas was my German born oncologist. I googled him because when I mentioned his name to a friend she insisted he'd be the best because like her he was German and had obviously qualified there . He didn't tell me he was German born and trained. None, that I can recall, of my obviously not white or foreign sounding name doctors or nurses have ever felt the need to tell me where they were born. I wonder if that's because they detect I don't care and appreciate their expertise not their place of birth?

You are pushing at an open door there as far as I am concerned. I found out the surgeons etc nationality in the course of a general conversation, - he volunteered the information as part of what we were talking about.

Stiff

I think he should be worried. I don't support Reform but imo they are the best of what we've got at the moment and I shall be voting for them. . Goodbye Starmer and the sooner the better imo. Not a clue why he is targeting legals. It's should be the illegals he should be targeting imo. We need the migrant social care workers. Who else will do the job unless he gets the workshy off benefits and make them work? When I'm out and about it is so noticeable to me the number of working age people, men in particular, that are out down beaches in parks and cafes. They can't all be on days off surely. Never seen so many.

So, let me get this straight!

You don’t support Labour because you think Starmer should not be targeting legal immigrants, who come here to work.

Yet you would vote for Reform? Have you looked at Reform’s policy (if we can call it that) on immigration. They say they would stop all immigration - regular and irregular. Not sure how that aligns with your viewpoint?

Do they still give short term visas for people under 25 who want to work there for a year or so only ? All my children did this and loved it in London in those days ( 1990s) . My son in law only had an Australian passport and he was still allowed to work. They all got really good jobs then.

Well Farage has responded to criticism of skills shortages and need, after being pressed by reporters, by saying

"he would announce the cap "in four years' time" .

Terrific policy, ie none,

Because he cant afford to say ban all immigrants when people need vital care.

Reform councillors will soon know the reality of care provision locally when they try to meet the need and expectations of those they serve.

In the same interview he reminded us (just to prove he's a hardline guy after all)

""If you get a job for an American TV station and you stay 48 hours longer than your work permit, they will smash your front door down, put you in handcuffs and deport you".

Sorry - source, Sky News, yesterday afternoon.

I just watched Starmer’s speech. Sorry, but he lies ,contradicts what he has said previously and should not be in his current position.

Quote nanna8 Tue 13-May-25 14:21:51
I just watched Starmer’s speech. Sorry, but he lies ,contradicts what he has said previously and should not be in his current position.

What lies, what contradictions ?

What lies?

I don't consider a change in policy as a lie, btw, if politicians never changed policy it makes a mockery of democracy and the need to adapt to circumstances

so what actual "lies?"

nanna as an immigrant yourself, does it ever cross your mind what the immigrants have done to the indigenous Australians and how their health snd welfare has suffered so badly since their culture and economy was totally trashed by immigrants?

Albanase handled the Voice vote very badly imo and nothing has changed, in fact things are getting worse.

Whitewavemark2

nanna as an immigrant yourself, does it ever cross your mind what the immigrants have done to the indigenous Australians and how their health snd welfare has suffered so badly since their culture and economy was totally trashed by immigrants?

Albanase handled the Voice vote very badly imo and nothing has changed, in fact things are getting worse.

Well said WW.

I agree that he sounded believable and that his speech was eloquent and seemed well thought out but...it was only words and I no longer believe his 'promises'.