David Lammy lashes out at 'pound shop patriot' Nigel Farage - 'plan is racist'

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy lashed out at Nigel Farage's plan to rip up indefinite leave to remain - putting hundreds of thousands of people permitted to live in the UK at risk of deportation

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David Lammy has lashed out at Nigel Farage's "pound shop patriotism" - saying it will drag Britain down.

The Deputy PM branded Mr Farage's plot to tear up indefinite leave to remain - even for those who have already been granted it - racist. In a speech to delegates at the Labour Party Conference, Mr Lammy said: "He (Mr Farage) wraps himself in our flag, but his policies don't match British values.

"We must call his scheme to round up and deport our French or Indian or Caribbean neighbours who already have indefinite leave to remain what it is - it is racist. I say not in our culture, not in our name, not in our time."

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He went on: "That's the choice, conference. Real patriotism that builds people up or pound shop patriotism that drags Britain down."

And he urged the party to look around the world for examples of progressive parties who have won against the odds. Mr Lammy, who is also Justice Secretary, said: "When you see Nigel Farage measuring the curtains of Downing Street, look around the world.

"In Australia Labour trailed by ten points until they won. In Canada, the liberals were 20 points behind until they won. In Norway just a few weeks ago, Labour 16 points behind until they won. The lesson is clear - progressives win when they follow the North Star of our values."

Hundreds of thousands of people living in the UK would both be at risk of getting kicked out of the UK under Reform UK’s plan to scrap Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) if it is elected.

On Sunday Keir Starmer said Mr Farage’s plans would “tear the UK apart”. He said: "They are our neighbours". Speaking to the BBC on the first day of Labour conference, Mr Starmer said the policy needed to be called out as he went studs up against Reform.