Overview

• Reform UK leads national polls with 32% support, surpassing Labour and Conservatives, following significant local election victories.
• Prime Minister Keir Starmer introduced an immigration white paper warning of an 'island of strangers,' aligning with Reform's rhetoric on migration control.
• Labour announced plans to invest hundreds of millions of pounds in 'left behind' regions where Reform has gained traction to counter political disaffection.
• Starmer is pursuing international cooperation on immigration crime, expanding anti-smuggling efforts to additional Western Balkan nations during a visit to Albania.
• The upcoming UK-EU summit is expected to focus on economic and defense agreements, as Starmer balances closer ties with the EU and domestic political pressures.