Reform UK's Zia Yusuf has declared that Sir Keir Starmer is "circling the drain" during a GB News appearance, asserting that his party now commands the lead in most opinion polls.
The Reform Head of Policy launched a fierce critique of the Prime Minister whilst defending his party's recently announced immigration policies. "The challenge for the Prime Minister now is, these smears no longer work," Mr Yusuf stated on the programme.
Zia Yusuf said Sir Keir Starmer is 'circling the drain'
|GB NEWS / PA
His comments follow intense political exchanges between Labour and Reform UK at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool. The Prime Minister had earlier branded Reform's immigration proposals as "racist" and warned they would "tear the country apart".
Mr Yusuf dismissed what he termed a "hysterical meltdown from the establishment" over Reform's policy announcements.
Zia Yusuf joined Michelle Dewberry on GB News
|GB NEWS
Reform's immigration policy, as Mr Yusuf explained, would require legal migrants to meet specific criteria. "What Reform has announced is simply a policy that would ensure migrants that come to this country legally do not commit crime, speak English and contribute on a net economic basis, ie, pay their way," he said during the broadcast.
The party's proposals include abolishing Indefinite Leave to Remain status, replacing it with renewable five-year visas.
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This would affect hundreds of thousands of migrants currently residing in Britain who would need to reapply periodically.
Reform's plan stipulates higher salary thresholds and English language standards for those seeking to remain. The policy has sparked significant debate, with a YouGov survey revealing that 58 per cent of Britons oppose removing ILR from those who already possess it.
Sir Keir Starmer's party are far behind Reform UK in the polls | GETTYMr Yusuf argued that for decades, those expressing worries about immigration have faced unfair accusations. "We've had decades in this country where anyone who raises legitimate concerns about immigration, they are deemed racist," he stated on GB News.
He expanded on this theme, suggesting that various patriotic expressions had been similarly stigmatised. "Believe Britain should have sovereignty and secure borders? You're racist, concerns about the growing gangs? You're racist," Mr Yusuf said.
The Reform representative also claimed that displaying national symbols attracted similar criticism. "If you want to wave a St George's or Union flag, you're racist," he added.
Mr Yusuf attributed Reform's polling success to public rejection of these characterisations. He suggested the political establishment had conducted an "open border experiment for decades" and could now "feel the spectre of all that starting to fall around them".
Labour has responded with its own immigration proposals at the party conference. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood unveiled plans requiring migrants seeking permanent residence to demonstrate community involvement through volunteer work, maintain employment, avoid claiming benefits and possess clean criminal records.
These measures represent a significant policy shift, with consultations planned for later this year. The government must also prove they have made social security contributions before qualifying for indefinite leave.
Sir Keir Starmer defended his criticism of Reform's proposals during a Liverpool Echo visit, particularly their plan to potentially deport long-term residents.
"These are people who have been in our country a long time, are contributing to our society, maybe working in, I don't know, hospitals, schools, running businesses - our neighbours," he said.