Keir Starmer has accused Rishi Sunak of electioneering as the prime minister’s plans to detain and swiftly deport thousands of asylum seekers were greeted with scepticism from unions, refugee charities and some former Conservative ministers.
As more people seeking refuge in the UK arrived across the Channel in chilly conditions on Monday, the Labour leader said the plans echoed previous announcements made to shore up support before local elections.
