Labour Party surveys show that voters in the United Kingdom believe rising immigration levels are negatively affecting their standard of living, according to a new poll, adding pressure on party leader Sir Keir Starmer following disappointing local election results.
The poll, conducted by Merlin Strategy on April 22 and 23, surveyed 3,000 British adults. Among respondents who voted for Labour in the last general election, only 24 percent said immigration had a positive impact on their economic situation. Forty percent said it had a negative effect, while 33 percent said it had neither.
The survey results come just days after Labour lost significant ground in local elections to the right-wing Reform UK party, which has campaigned on sharply reducing immigration and promises to freeze non-essential migration.
Growing Concern Inside Labour
Labour’s electoral struggles have sparked internal debate, especially among Members of Parliament representing working-class districts in the party’s traditional heartlands—the so-called “Red Wall” constituencies in the North and Midlands.
Jonathan Hinder, MP for Pendle and Clitheroe, described immigration as an “existential threat” to the party’s future and proposed implementing a “one in, one out” immigration model. Jo White, chair of the Red Wall Caucus of Labour MPs, called on Starmer to abandon what he termed a cautious approach and urgently tighten controls, particularly on illegal Channel crossings.
Their remarks underscore growing frustration within the party over what some view as a lack of clarity or decisiveness on immigration policy.
Voters Across Parties Express Skepticism
Across all political affiliations, 50 percent of respondents said immigration had a negative impact on their living standards, while just 18 percent believed it had a positive one. Among supporters of Reform UK, 72 percent viewed immigration as harmful, with only 6 percent expressing a favorable view.
Even among Liberal Democrat voters—typically more immigration-friendly—more respondents said immigration had hurt their economic situation (36 percent) than helped it (25 percent). Among Conservatives, that margin rose to 41 percent versus 14 percent.
Scarlett Maguire, founder of Merlin Strategy, said the results reflect a disconnect between elite political narratives and the lived experiences of many voters. “Only one in four Labour voters believe immigration has helped the economy,” she said. “That puts Labour in a difficult position as it weighs electoral strategy heading into the next general election.”
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Not all in Labour agree on how to respond. Louise Haigh, a senior Labour figure and former transport secretary, warned the party against what she called a “simplistic lurch to the right.” Instead, she advocated for increased public investment, funded by higher taxes, to address economic inequality.
Nadia Whittome, MP for Nottingham East, echoed that sentiment, saying that “tough talk on immigration isn’t working” and urging the party to focus on wealth disparity and cost-of-living issues instead.
Looking Ahead
The poll was commissioned by Looking for Growth, a new political group advocating for pro-growth policies. As immigration continues to shape political debate in Britain, the results point to a growing challenge for Stammer: how to navigate rising voter frustration while holding together a party split over how best to respond.
Whether Labour shifts its position—or doubles down on its current approach—may prove decisive in the next general election.
