Abbott calls Starmer’s immigration comments ‘fundamentally racist’ at rally
Countless trade unionists, activists and campaigners gathered to ‘send a message’ to the Government at a presentation in main London.
Countless trade unionists, activists and campaigners gathered to “send a message” to the Federal government at a demonstration over costs cuts and welfare reform in central London on Saturday. Former Labour Celebration leader Jeremy Corbyn and Ms Abbott were among those who offered speeches at the rally outside Downing Street following a march. Organisers Individual’s Assembly accused the Government of making spending cuts that target the poorest in society. The Prime Minister stated the UK ran the risk of ending up being “an island of complete strangers” when he unveiled prepare for tighter controls on migration in a significant speech last month, causing a mixed response from different parties. Addressing the demonstration crowd in Whitehall, Ms Abbott– who was previously suspended by Labour in 2023 before being allowed to run in 2015’s basic election– said there was a worldwide battle to “battle the abundant and the powerful (and) to fight the racists”, consisting of in her own party. The Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP said: “I was really disrupted to hear Keir Starmer on the subject of immigration. “He spoke about closing the book on a squalid chapter for our politics– immigrants represent a squalid chapter. “He discussed how he thought immigration has done enormous damage to this green and pleasant land, which, naturally, is nonsense– immigrants constructed this land. “And, finally, he stated we risk ending up being an island of strangers. “I thought that was an essentially racist thing to state. It contrasts Britain’s history. “My moms and dads came to this nation in the 50s. They were not strangers. They assisted to develop this country. “I think Keir Starmer is quite wrong to state that the manner in which you beat Reform is to copy Reform.” Reform’s leader Nigel Farage previously stated his celebration “quite enjoyed” Sir Keir’s speech, as it revealed he was “learning a lot” from them. Representatives from the National Education Union, Revolutionary Communist Celebration, Green Party and the Rail, Maritime and Transportation (RMT) union could be seen at the demonstration’s start point in Portland Place. The large crowd then set off towards Whitehall quickly before 1pm. Many of the protesters were holding placards that read “Tax the rich, stop the cuts– welfare not warfare”. Other signs being held up said “Nurses not nukes” and “Cut war, not welfare”. Mr Corbyn, who also criticised Sir Keir’s “island of strangers” remarks, told protesters at the rally: “As the wars rage around the world– the killing fields in Ukraine and Russia, the abominable, purposeful hunger of children in Gaza and the genocide that’s inflicted versus the Palestinian individuals continues– certainly to goodness we require a world of peace. “We need a world of peace that will come through the vision of peace, the vision of disarmament and the vision of in fact challenging the causes of war, which results in the desperation and the refugee streams these days.” The Independent MP for Islington North prompted protesters to “move forward as a motion of hope, of what we can achieve together (and) the society we can build together”. Individuals’s Assembly stated trade unionists, health, well-being, disability and real estate campaigners with community organisations came together for the protest under the motto “No to Austerity2.0”. A representative stated: “The adherence to ‘fiscal rules’ traps us in a civil service funding crisis, increasing poverty, worsening psychological health and freezing public sector pay. “Ditching winter season fuel payments, keeping the Tory two-child benefit cap, abandoning Waspi ladies, cutting ₤ 5 billion of well-being by restricting Pip and universal credit eligibility, and slashing UK foreign aid from 0.5% to 0.3% of GDP, while increasing defence costs to 2.5% of GDP, exist as ‘hard choices’. “Real hard choices would be for a Labour federal government to tax the rich and their hidden wealth, to money civil services, reasonable pay, financial investment in neighborhoods and the NHS.”
The Prime Minister said the UK risked becoming “an island of strangers” when he unveiled strategies for tighter controls on immigration in a significant speech last month, leading to a combined reaction from different parties. Dealing with the demonstration crowd in Whitehall, Ms Abbott– who was previously suspended by Labour in 2023 before being allowed to run in last year’s general election– said there was a worldwide battle to “combat the rich and the powerful (and) to combat the racists”, consisting of in her own celebration. Reform’s leader Nigel Farage previously said his celebration “really much delighted in” Sir Keir’s speech, as it showed he was “finding out an excellent offer” from them. Other signs being held up said “Nurses not nukes” and “Cut war, not well-being”. The Individuals’s Assembly stated trade unionists, health, housing, well-being and disability campaigners with community organisations came together for the protest under the slogan “No to Austerity2.0”.
