Starmer’s migration speech ‘completely different’ to Enoch Powell’s, says Yvette Cooper

Home secretary says PM talked about strength in diversity, after criticism from MPs over ‘island of strangers’ rhetoric

The home secretary, Yvette Cooper, has said the prime minister’s words were “completely different” to those used by Enoch Powell in his infamous rivers of blood speech, amid criticism within the party of the rhetoric used to launch the government’s immigration crackdown.

A number of MPs criticised Keir Starmer when he said the UK risked becoming “an island of strangers” if steps were not taken to address integration. Speaking on Tuesday, Cooper said that Starmer had also praised the contribution of migrants.