Starmer’s migration speech ‘completely different’ to Enoch Powell’s, says Yvette Cooper

<p>Home secretary says PM talked about strength in diversity, after criticism from MPs over ‘island of strangers’ rhetoric</p><p>The home secretary, Yvette Cooper, has said the prime minister’s words were “completely different” to those used by Enoch Powell in his infamous 1968 <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/14/enoch-powell-rivers-blood-legacy-wolverhampton">rivers of blood speech</a>, amid criticism within the Labour party of the rhetoric used to launch the government’s immigration crackdown.</p><p>A number of MPs criticised Keir Starmer when he said the UK risked <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/may/12/keir-starmer-defends-plans-to-curb-net-migration">becoming “an island of strangers”</a> if steps were not taken to address integration. Speaking on Tuesday, Cooper said Starmer had also praised the contribution of migrants.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/may/13/keir-starmer-immigration-speech-completely-different-to-enoch-powell-yvette-cooper">Continue reading...</a>