Keir Starmer is facing a fresh rebellion from his own MPs over hardline migration measures that would escalate the deportation of children and families. At least 20 Labour MPs have publicly condemned the proposals, which include confiscating assets from asylum seekers to cover costs and changing how the European Convention on Human Rights is interpreted to prevent appeals based on family life.
The home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, announced a consultation on enforcing the removal of refused families, including children, who decline payments to leave voluntarily. The policies have exposed significant divisions within the party, with some MPs accusing colleagues of not taking public anger about illegal migration seriously.
Starmer defended the plans, saying the government inherited a broken asylum system and must restore public confidence. “We need to stop people arriving who shouldn’t be here and return those found not to be genuine refugees,” he told the Daily Mirror.
Critics include former human rights barrister Tony Vaughan, select committee chairs Sarah Owen and Florence Eshalomi, and new MPs Simon Opher, Abitsam Mohamed, and Neil Duncan-Jordan. One MP described the plans as “morally bankrupt,” adding, “I didn’t fight an election to bundle distressed children onto deportation flights.”
Mahmood rebuked MPs for accusing her of using divisive language, citing racial abuse she faces. A government source said there would be “huge engagement” with worried MPs and stressed no unaccompanied children would be deported, but acknowledged the border crisis is “existential” for mainstream parties.
MPs voiced widespread concern about increased detention of children before removal. Opher said the government “should stop the boats because it’s dangerous, and stop scapegoating immigrants because it’s wrong and cruel.” The Conservatives indicated they could support the laws in the event of a major rebellion.
