Starmer promises to scrap Rwanda plan 'straight away'

Labour leader attacks Sunak's Channel crossing ‘gimmicks'

- ARCHIE MITCHELL

Labour will scrap the Rwanda deportation plan "straight away" if it wins power, Sir Keir Starmer said as he vowed an end to the "unquenchable Tory desire for shortcuts".

The Labour leader attacked Rishi Sunak's approach to the small boats crisis as "gimmicks, not serious government" and set out the party's own plans to crack down on people smugglers. In a major speech in Dover, for which he was introduced by the defected Tory MP Natalie Elphicke, Sir Keir promised to end Westminster's "talk tough, do nothing" culture over the issue.

He promised "a new politics" on everything from small boat crossings to the economy, saying: "The character of politics will change, and through that, we will deliver higher growth, safer streets, an NHS back on its feet, more opportunity in your community, cheaper bills in your home, and secure borders for our nation." And he unveiled the party's plans to replace the Rwanda policy with "a new approach to small boat crossings that will secure Britain's borders".

Sir Keir took aim at his critics on the left, saying that "turning a blind eye" to channel crossings is "the complete opposite of a progressive and compassionate position". And he attacked the "gesture politics" of the Conservatives, listing the Rwanda scheme alongside a series of plans reportedly considered by the party.