Senior Labour MPs, joined by the UK’s largest anti-fascist charity, are urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to take a firmer stance on diversity and anti-racism, warning that the party risks losing ground to Nigel Farage and the far right if it fails to act.
The appeal comes ahead of a planned far-right demonstration in London this weekend. In a strongly worded letter to the prime minister, Nick Lowles, chief executive of Hope Not Hate, called on Starmer and his ministers to speak out decisively.
“Hate breeds when those in power are silent. I implore you and other ministers to speak out urgently in defence of our migrant communities and our multicultural society more generally. It is imperative we all push back against the onslaught of racism we currently face because silence will only encourage our opponents more.”
Nick Lowles
His words reflect growing concern within Labour that the party has left a political vacuum. Over the summer, Farage and his supporters dominated headlines through asylum hotel protests and disputes over flags, while Labour’s response appeared muted.
Several MPs now believe the upcoming deputy leadership race, contested by Bridget Phillipson and Lucy Powell, must put Labour’s defence of its values at the forefront. Others argue that only a bolder, emotionally driven response will counter the rhetoric of the far right.
Former cabinet minister Louise Haigh was among those pressing for stronger action.
“In recent months we’ve seen the far right allowed to set the terms of debate on migrants and minority communities, with too little challenge from those in power. That failure has whipped up tensions in communities right across the UK and risks embedding further division.
“What’s crucial now is that we stand firm on our values – that means challenging the demonisation of migrants, exposing the hypocrisy of figures like Nigel Farage, and making the positive case for a politics that genuinely delivers change.”
Louise Haigh
Alison McGovern, communities minister and a former candidate for deputy leader, echoed that sentiment. She warned that Labour must connect emotionally with voters if it hopes to defend progressive politics.
“Now is the time for progressives to realise that it’s the Labour party that has this unique place in British society, bringing people together from different backgrounds on the things that they have in common, and showing that if we fight together, we can win.”
Alison McGovern
Bell Ribeiro-Addy, the Labour left’s candidate in the deputy leadership contest, insisted the responsibility lay squarely with the party to prevent the far right from gaining momentum. “Only the Labour Party can stop this from happening,” she said.
Pressure Mounts On Party Leadership
Other MPs also stressed the importance of shaping the national conversation on immigration and identity.
“The history of this nation has been shaped by immigration and the future of it will be too – whether the skills it brings, the ideas we learn from, or even the taxes those who come here pay. Telling the story of who we are and who we can be and how that is strengthened by diversity, rather than threatened by it, is not something any of us can sit out and is a leadership role for all of us, including the government.”
Stella Creasy, MP for Walthamstow
Sarah Owen, chair of the women and equalities committee and once tipped for a deputy leadership run, added that Labour must directly address the tactics of rival parties exploiting division.
The calls underline mounting unease among Labour figures that unless the party sharpens its message and speaks more forcefully on inclusion, it risks leaving the political narrative in the hands of its opponents. For campaigners and MPs alike, the urgency is clear: a united Labour voice is needed to defend Britain’s multicultural future and resist the rise of the far right.
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