- Leading pollsters have dismissed Sir Keir Starmer’s "one in, one out" migrant return deal with France as a "publicity stunt" unlikely to boost the government's popularity.
- The agreement is criticised for its small scale, reportedly aiming to return only 50 migrants a week, despite over 700 arriving on small boats on the day of its announcement.
- New polling reveals significant opposition among Labour Party members to Sir Keir’s plans to tighten legal migration, such as extending the citizenship application period to 10 years.
- The government's focus on both legal and illegal migration is seen as a strategy to counter the growing support for Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, which is currently polling ahead of Labour.
- Pollsters highlight record-low public confidence in the government, with only 23 per cent expressing confidence, suggesting the deal will have minimal impact on voter perception.
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