Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)

We must never accept the Tory or media narrative that often scapegoats and demonises migrants. "Problems of low pay, housing and public services are not caused by migrants – they are caused by a failed economic model." Keir Starmer wrote that in 2020. However, after Labour took a hammering in the recent elections, the British Prime Minister has reversed course. Mr. Starmer has not reversed course on the so-called "welfare" reform. He has not reversed course on the attacks on disabled people.

He has reversed course by joining in with Nigel Farage's scapegoating of migrants. He delivered an incredible speech yesterday echoing Enoch Powell's notorious "rivers of blood" speech in which he talked about the danger of Britain becoming an "island of strangers" and said that there would be a big reduction in migration. Has the Government discussed what the impact of this will be as regards the North? I particularly ask about the health and social care workforce because 70% of health workers newly recruited in the North last year were from outside the UK and the EU. Will this have any impact on cross-Border workers?

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