Keir Starmer says Nigel Farage's migrant plan would 'tear UK apart'

Nigel Farage’s plans to cancel indefinite leave to remain would “tear the UK apart”, Keir Starmer has claimed.

The Prime Minister tore into Reform UK’s controversial plans, describing them as “one of the most shocking things” Mr Farage had come up with. He made his comments while speaking with school pupils at the Liverpool Echo office, ahead of the Labour Party Conference.

Asked about the plans, which would impact hundreds of thousands of people, he said: “These are people who’ve been in our country a long time, contributing to our society, maybe working in – I don’t know – hospitals, schools, running businesses, our neighbours, and Reform says it wants to deport them in certain circumstances.

READ MORE: Labour education chief drops huge two child benefit cap hint as pressure mounts

READ MORE: Parents warned UK primary pupils added to WhatsApp group with 'explicit images'

“I think it is a real sign of just how divisive they are and that their politics and their policies will tear this country apart. It is what it is to be British that we are able to be reasonable, pragmatic, tolerant, live and let live. To tear away at that will destroy our country. I feel very, very strongly about this."

Speaking to the school pupils he added: “I’m sorry that you’re having to grow up in a world where this politics has found a voice and almost a licence as well.”

The questions came from Year 10 and 11 pupils from Lord Derby Academy in Huyton, The Heath School in Runcorn and Ellesmere Port Church of England College. The PM initially spoke and answered questions on the landmark Hillsborough Law that his government laid before Parliament earlier this month.

The new law will create a new duty of candour that means public servants and authorities must act with honesty, transparency and to tell the truth - or face criminal sanctions.

Mr Starmer was also asked if his government would be legalising cannabis. He said: “No, I’m afraid not. What answer did you want me to give?”

The PM then asked the students to put their hands up if they would support legalising cannabis. He joked: “There’s probably a few hands that would have gone up if the cameras weren’t here. But, no, we’re not going down that route.”

READ MORE: Join our Mirror politics WhatsApp group to get the latest updates from Westminster