Keir Starmer (Labour) faces his biggest political challenge yet as asylum and immigration surge to the top of his agenda following weekend protests across the country. The Prime Minister returns to Westminster with mounting pressure to fix a system that even his own supporters acknowledge is failing.
A YouGov poll reveals the scale of his problem - 71% of voters believe Starmer is handling the asylum hotel issue badly, including 56% of his own Labour supporters. Recent protests at asylum hostels and the High Court victory by Epping Forest District Council to prevent a hotel housing asylum seekers highlight growing public frustration.
Record asylum numbers compound crisis
The UK received a record 111,084 asylum applications in the year to June 2025 - the highest since records began in 2001. Currently, 32,059 asylum seekers live in hotels across the country, with 51,000 appeals waiting to be heard in an overwhelmed system.
Small boat arrivals have surged to 28,076 in 2025, representing a 46% increase over the same period in 2024. The Government's initial "smash the gangs" strategy through deals with European partners has failed to stem the flow, with trafficking routes adapting faster than enforcement efforts.
Legal background creates political contradiction
Starmer's past as a human rights barrister now presents a fundamental political contradiction. He once operated within and defended the very legal frameworks and tribunal systems that he must now overhaul to survive politically.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is implementing radical changes, introducing "independent adjudicators" to replace judge-led tribunals. The new system aims to process claims within 24 weeks, particularly for those in asylum accommodation or with criminal convictions.
Appeals process reveals systemic failures
Nearly half of asylum appeals prove successful, indicating poor quality of initial decisions that create the backlog Cooper must clear. The judge-led tribunal system has created what ministers call "grey zones" where genuine refugees wait alongside those exploiting legal loopholes.
The High Court's Bell Hotel ruling, which forced the relocation of 138 asylum seekers, may trigger similar legal challenges across the country. Many councils feel emboldened to resist government plans for their areas, creating new flashpoints for protest.
Political survival at stake
The weekend's protests, counter-demonstrations and clashes reminded Starmer that this volatile mix of genuine concern and unpleasant racism threatens his promise of calmer governance. Many in Labour ranks fear the next election becoming a "Starmer v Farage" contest, with the Prime Minister already on the defensive.
Sources used: "The i", "dailymail", "Skynews", "Evening Standard" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
