Overview

• Keir Starmer told the Labour conference that a conversation with a woman in Oldham reshaped his view that the left had been wrong on immigration.
• Journalists identified the woman as Joyce Todd, 79, who says she does not believe the prime minister and will never vote for Labour again.
• Todd says she is not racist and described long-standing ties with Asian neighbours, while Starmer recalled her concerns about some Eastern European residents’ behaviour.
• Labour has recently outlined measures to reduce migration, including a proposed digital ID to deter illegal working and stricter conditions for indefinite leave to remain.
• A Labour spokesperson said the government was elected to cut net migration and is focusing on smashing criminal gangs, cracking down on illegal working, removing those with no right to stay, and securing borders.