Plaid Cymru say it shows their question ‘touched a nerve’
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said a Welsh MP was “talking rubbish” when she asked him about the motivation for his recent speech on immigration. Plaid Cymru say it shows their Westminster leader’s question “touched a nerve”.
In Prime Minister’s questions on Wednesday Liz Saville Roberts asked him if there was “any belief he holds which survives a week in Downing Street”.
She said: “This Prime Minister once spoke of compassion and dignity for migrants and defending free movement. Now he talks of ‘islands of strangers’ and ‘taking back control’. Somebody here has to call this out.
“It seems the only principle he consistently defends is whichever he last heard in a focus group. So I ask him, is there any belief he holds which survives a week in Downing Street?”
The Prime Minister replied: “Yes – the belief that she talks rubbish.
“Mr Speaker I want to lead a country where we pull together and walk into the future as neighbours and as communities – not as strangers.
“The loss of control of migration by the last government put all that at risk – that’s why we’re fixing the system based on principles of control, selection, and fairness.” For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here.
Speaking after the session the Plaid Cymru MP said: “The Prime Minister’s outburst showed that my question struck a nerve.
“The expressions on the faces of many Labour MPs told their own story – plenty of them know I was right.
“If his convictions change with the political weather it’s no surprise that support for Labour in Wales, as across Britain, is falling through the floor.”
Earlier this week the Prime Minister announced details of an immigration plan – a white paper – which has led to criticism of the language he used.
In it he announced changes including the time it takes to acquire settled status in the UK being extended from five years to 10 and “tougher” enforcement.
The Prime Minister said: “We need to reduce immigration significantly.”
Wales’ First Minister Eluned Morgan raised concern about the proposals in terms of the potential impact any cut in immigration will have on Wales’ care and health sector. She said she would “not use divisive language” to talk about immigration in Wales.
Mr Starmer has been criticised for some of the language used in his speech including saying there was a “risk [of] becoming an island of strangers” and that there are “forces…slowly pulling our country apart” You can read her comments here.