UK Religious Leaders Urge PM Starmer to Rethink Rhetoric on Migration

LONDON — Prominent religious leaders across the UK have written to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, urging him to reconsider his rhetoric on migration amid growing concerns that his recent remarks risk stoking division and public anxiety.

The intervention comes after Starmer announced a series of tougher immigration policies this week in a bid to curb rising support for right-wing parties. However, his characterization of the UK as potentially becoming “an island of strangers” drew sharp senior faith figures — including bishops from the Church of England as well as Muslim and Jewish leaders — the group called for a more “compassionate narrative” around migration. They warned that the current tone of debate risks alienating migrant communities and bolstering extremist voices.

“Our concern is that the current narrative, which presents only one side of the debate, will only drive public anxiety and entrench polarisation,” the letter reads. “When you refer to the ‘incalculable’ damage done by uncontrolled migration, you are in danger of harming migrant members of our communities and strengthening those who would divide us.”

The faith leaders emphasized the positive contributions of migrants to British society, noting they are “part of our national story and fabric” and that the country “would be so much poorer without them.”

Starmer, a former human rights lawyer, has faced backlash from within his own party, with a recent YouGov poll indicating that 50% of Labour voters now hold a negative view of his leadership.

His proposed immigration policies include stricter rules on hiring overseas workers in the social care sector, extending the time migrants must live in the UK before gaining settlement rights, and expanded powers to deport foreign criminals.

Religious leaders criticized the framing of these changes, pointing out that many migrants came to the UK legally under existing laws and are active, tax-paying members of society. “Framing this as somehow unfair only feeds the politics of grievance and division,” they warned.

In response, a Downing Street spokesperson said, “We are clear that migrants make a massive contribution to the UK, and would never denigrate that. Britain is an inclusive and tolerant country, but the public expect that people who come here should be expected to learn the language and integrate.”

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The letter, reported by The Guardian, highlights mounting pressure on Starmer to balance political pragmatism with compassion, as Labour seeks to secure public trust ahead of the next general election.