British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has voiced deep concern over the rising influence of far-right groups in the United Kingdom, calling for a united effort among progressive

political parties across Europe to address this growing challenge.

Earlier this month, Britain witnessed anti-immigrant riots following a tragic knife attack on a children's dance class. The incident was exacerbated by false claims, amplified by far-right factions, that the attacker was a Muslim asylum seeker.

During a visit to Germany on Wednesday, Starmer emphasized that the best way to combat populism is by improving the lives of ordinary people. He assured that conditions in Britain would see significant improvement by the end of his first term in office.

"We must be vigilant in the UK to the threats posed by far-right, populist, and nationalist movements," Starmer stated. "My concern is driven by developments both within the UK and across Europe, including in France and Germany."

Starmer's centre-left Labour Party secured a sweeping victory in the recent July elections, standing in contrast to the far-right's recent gains in Europe. However, the anti-immigration riots have quickly become the first major crisis of his leadership.

British authorities have arrested over 1,160 individuals in connection with the riots, which involved violence, arson, looting, and racist attacks targeting Muslims and migrants.

Starmer vowed to confront the far-right and reject the "snake oil of populism and nationalism," promising to be transparent about the country's challenges and the solutions needed.

However, his efforts are complicated by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and deteriorating public services.

On Tuesday, Starmer warned that the upcoming budget statement in October would be "painful" and urged the public to endure "short-term pain for long-term gain."

Speaking during a trip aimed at mending Britain's strained relations with European allies, Starmer likened the country to a house in need of more than just cosmetic repairs, stating, "You need to fix the damp and the cracks first before you can make real improvements."

"This is ultimately a project of hope," he concluded, "but it begins with the hard work of tackling the tough issues." Photo by Prime Minister’s Office, Wikimedia commons.