Angela Rayner has admitted that immigration has had a “profound impact on society” and said the Government must “acknowledge the real concerns people have” about it. But both she and Sir Keir Starmer have previously spoken more positively about immigration or appeared to deprioritise it compared to other societal issues. The Telegraph has unearthed past statements from Sir Keir and Ms Rayner that show how their public positions have changed over their time in politics. Sir Keir Starmer – winter 1987Sir Keir became a barrister in Middle Temple in 1987. In that year, he wrote an article in the Socialist Lawyer magazine in which he said there was a “racist undercurrent” to immigration law.

Source: The Times July 22, 2025 16:37 UTC