Crowd gathers in response to Keir Starmer's speech
Participants waved "Stop the Far Right", "Refugees welcome" and "Stop Dawn Raids" signs at the Buchanan Street steps.
(Image: Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest) One speaker said: "I'm really sad and angry that this rubbish and garbage is coming from someone who is a Labour Prime Minister.
"He came on national television, telling the people of Britain that migrants are your problem.
"Losing an election to the far-right Nigel Farage suddenly he had a dream the previous night to blame migrants for the failure in the local election, in the by-election in England.
"Brothers and sisters, this is a sad day."
READ NEXT: Glasgow councillors debate Keir Starmer 'nation of strangers' speech
(Image: Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest) A statement from Stand Up To Racism Scotland added: "We reject the argument that migrants are responsible for low pay, unemployment, lack of housing or funding cuts in our schools, hospitals and community services. It wasn't migrants who stole winter fuel allowance from pensioners, scrapped welfare benefits or kept the two-child benefit cap.
"Efforts to curb migration will only place more strains on already understaffed and underfunded care homes, the NHS and education centres, as well as our food security."
Earlier this month, Keir Starmer stated that the UK is at risk of becoming a 'nation of strangers' and said high immigration had caused harm and must come down.
He has also been criticised by Green and SNP councillors for aping the language of the far right and of Reform UK.
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The Guardian
an hour ago
- The Guardian
The Guardian view on Keir Starmer and the Ukraine summit: a pivot point for Labour policy too
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South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- South Wales Argus
A Level Results 2025: Gwent pupils celebrate their grades
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She said: 'Today marks a significant milestone for students across Wales as they receive their results. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to every student, alongside our dedicated teachers and education staff, whose commitment and effort have brought us to this moment. 'Every learner opening their results today has earned the right to feel immense pride in what they've accomplished, and these achievements demonstrate remarkable determination. 'As you look towards your future, whether that involves starting an apprenticeship, entering employment, or beginning studies at university, I wish you 'pob lwc'. 'For those seeking guidance on their next steps, support remains available through your school or college and the Young Person's Guarantee, which provides a range of options. 'I will continue to work on raising educational standards and ensure every young person has the support they need to achieve their goals.' Happy students at Crosskeys College proudly showing their A level results! (Image: NQ) First Minister Eluned Morgan added: "Llongyfarchiadau to everyone receiving their results today, and diolch to all the amazing teachers, lecturers and parents for their support. "You've all worked so hard, and whichever path you choose next I wish you all the best for the future." Others felt as though this year's results were a cause for concern. Commenting on A-Level Results Day, Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education, Natsha Asghar MS, said: 'Teachers, support staff, pupils and parents have all worked incredibly hard, but it's clear that the Welsh Labour Government is holding Wales back. 'It is a bitter disappointment for Wales that, under Labour, results here have fallen while elsewhere in the UK, the numbers achieving top A-level grades have increased. 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(Image: NQ) Miesha Hale, 18, came to collect her results with her mum Leanne Daniels. Miesha secured three A*s in law, criminology and sociology and is now set to study Law at Liverpool University. Proud mum Leanne said: "I can't explain how happy I am - she's worked so hard and deserves it." Libby Watson, 17 was pleasantly shocked by her results. (Image: NQ) Libby Watson, 17, says she did "very good" and is very pleased with her results in law, sociology and media. She has another year of college and was pleasantly shocked by her results. She said: "I was very nervous, but I had much better results than expected - I'm going to celebrate by going out for food. I can breathe now!" Molly Howells 18 was excited after securing an accounting apprenticeship (Image: NQ) Molly Howells was excited after securing an accounting apprenticeship. She said: "I'm really pleased. I've got a degree apprenticeship in accounting with AAT Company, and I'm looking forward to celebrating." Jane Ford, head of school for academic studies at Coleg Gwent Crosskeys, praised the pupils on their efforts. She said: 'It's been brilliant for our learners and the results they've achieved are outstanding our staff have supported our learners and today the learners are reaping the rewards. 'We are so proud of the progression routes and the university places that our learners are taking up and we wish them all the best and lots of luck in their future endeavours and careers.' Staff at Crosskeys College pleased with this year's A Level Results (Jane Ford in the blue polka dot dressed) (Image: NQ) Many schools in Gwent are delighted with the outcome of A Level results day 2025. St Martin's Sixth Form in Caerphilly said they are proud to announce that 96 per cent of learners achieved the level 3 threshold of 2 A Level passes this year. The number of learners attaining A*/As rose by 6 per cent to 23 per cent and there was a 100 per cent pass rate in 12 out of the 19 subjects studied by students this year. Headteacher Lee Jarvis Headteacher congratulated the sixth form students on another exceptional year of results and wished the students well as they begin the next exciting chapter in their lives, knowing that they are now fully prepared for life beyond St Martin's. A Level Results Day 2025 at Crosskeys College (Image: NQ) Students can choose from multiple progression routes. For some this was university, others clearing and many showed interest in apprenticeships. Amanda Wilkinson, Director of Universities Wales said: 'Students can be proud of their achievements and can now look forward to the next stage of their journey, which for many will involve studying at university. 'University can be a truly transformative time, opening up doors and opportunities which can change the lives of learners. "Students joining a Welsh university this autumn can look forward to a high-quality and rewarding university experience that supports them to achieve their ambitions and fulfil their potential. 'For those who are still undecided or did not get the results they had hoped for, there are many options in Wales available through clearing. Our universities have advisors waiting to advise prospective students on the options available to them." Pupils gathered at Crosskeys College on A Level Results Day (Image: NQ) Commenting on apprenticeships, a Welsh Government spokesperson said: 'To date the Welsh Government has supported 73,795 new apprenticeships during this Senedd term, spending £144m this year - up from £128m previously. 'Through the Welsh Government's Young Person's Guarantee, we're working to support and encourage more employers to recruit apprentices helping to ensure that high-quality, work-based learning routes remain accessible to all 16–24-year-olds.' Careers Wales that offers free careers advice also had their say. Nikki Lawrence, Chief Executive of Careers Wales said: "Well done to everyone receiving their results today. 'Whether things turned out as you hoped or not, remember that there are plenty of different exciting opportunities available for you. 'Working Wales and the Young Person's Guarantee is here to support anyone who's unsure about their next steps this summer. 'Our expert careers advisers can help you explore options you might not have considered and guide you toward opportunities that follow your passions. 'We understand this can be a stressful time, and it's normal to feel overwhelmed by decisions about your future. But you're not alone, we are ready to help you find the route that's right for you and take those first steps with confidence."
The Guardian
an hour ago
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People held under UK's ‘one in, one out' asylum deal say they had not heard of it
Asylum seekers locked in detention centres as part of Labour's 'one in, one out' deal have said they had not heard of the scheme before arriving in the UK on small boats and were terrified of being returned to their home countries. The prime minister, Keir Starmer, has said the plan to send one small boat arrival back to France in exchange for accepting another to live in the UK would deter the thousands from crossing the Channel. Since the first group of small boat arrivals were detained just over a week ago on 6 August, 2,363 people have crossed the Channel. More than 50,000 have crossed since Labour came into power. 'I was so happy to survive the journey across the Channel and to reach land in the UK. Then the Home Office locked me up. I'm still in a state of shock,' said one man from Eritrea, speaking to the Guardian by phone from a detention centre. 'We did not understand what was happening to us when the Home Office moved us from Manston [the former military base in Kent] where we were processed, straight to this place which is like a jail. 'When we asked why they were bringing some who arrived on the same boat as me here but letting others go free, they did not answer us. They just said it was because we crossed the Channel illegally.' The man said that neither he nor anyone he knew in northern France knew anything about the 'one in, one out' deal and was not sure it would prevent people from continuing to try to cross the Channel. 'I am very frightened here. There are people who have committed crimes in the UK locked up with us. We have done nothing wrong apart from trying to find a safe place.' He claimed to have been trafficked and tortured when he passed through Libya on his journey from Eritrea. 'I believe if I am sent back to France and the smugglers find me they will kill me,' he said. A second man from Afghanistan also spoke to the Guardian from detention. He said: 'The Home Office have just locked us in these rooms and said we cannot go from here. We are frightened of the dangerous criminals locked up with us. We are so afraid of what Home Office will do to us. 'The Taliban tried to kill me so I escaped from Afghanistan. I thought I was free when I reached [the] UK but instead I am in this prison. We knew nothing about the 'one in, one out' deal when we left France. I don't know if it will stop people crossing the Channel.' The Home Office says the first group of detainees are expected to be returned to France within three weeks, with the UK referring potential returnees to the French authorities within three days of their detention and the French expected to respond within 14 days. A leaflet given to detainees by the Home Office says those returned to France may be offered a financial incentive by the French authorities to return to their home countries. It asks detainees to notify the Home Office if they are seriously ill or a victim of rape, torture or violence, although officials are supposed to screen for these vulnerabilities before detaining people. Karris Hamilton, an advocacy manager at Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group, which is supporting those earmarked for forced return to France, said: 'We are extremely concerned about the wellbeing of the men being detained for the 'one in, one out' scheme. 'Those we have spoken with so far are in acute distress and many have been victims of torture, exploited by traffickers on their journeys or victims of modern slavery in Libya. 'People are finding it difficult to eat and sleep due to being in a prison environment, not knowing how long they will be there and fearing that they may be taken back to France. We are very worried that we will see a rise in self-harm, suicide attempts and hunger strikes due to this.'
