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Curb immigration or Britain will ‘explode’ into riots due to ‘bubbling’ racial tensions, former shadow minister Rachel Reeves warns

Leeds West MP gave the troubling prediction as she urged her party to 'wake up' and listen to the concerns over immigration in working class communities

A masked rioter

LABOUR MP Rachel Reeves has warned "bubbling" racial tensions could explode into full blown riots unless immigration numbers are slashed.

The Remain campaigner also said Labour needed to "wake up" and listen to the concerns over immigration in working class communities.

Rachel Reeves says the London riots of 2011 could be repeated in northern cities unless the government curbs freedom of movement
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Rachel Reeves says the London riots of 2011 could be repeated in northern cities unless the government curbs freedom of movementCredit: EPA
Croydon was one of the areas of London which saw widescale destruction during the riots in August 2011
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Croydon was one of the areas of London which saw widescale destruction during the riots in August 2011Credit: Getty Images
Rachel Reeves said she avoided council estates in her constituency during the EU referendum campaign because she knew they were going to vote Leave
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Rachel Reeves said she avoided council estates in her constituency during the EU referendum campaign because she knew they were going to vote LeaveCredit: PA

At a fringe Labour conference event she claimed Britain could see a repeat of the London riots in northern cities, unless the government curbs freedom of movement.

Ms Reeves said: “The other reason we have got to get this right is because there are bubbling tensions in this country that I just think could explode.

“You had those riots in 2011, the riots didn’t happen in Leeds and in my constituency, but if riots started again in Leeds and bits of my constituency, it’s like a tinder box.”

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The Leeds West MP and ex-Shadow Work and Pensions Minister also admitted she avoided council estates in her constituency during the campaign because she knew they were going to vote Leave - and she "didn't want to remind them that Labour was not on their side."

Ms Reeves is the latest senior Labour figure to talk tough on immigration in recent weeks and call an end to freedom of movement.

Fellow Remain campaigners Emma Reynolds and Stephen Kinnock have all recently claimed controls on immigration is one of the key lessons for Labour following the June 23 vote.

Remainer Stephen Kinnock has told Labour the party has to learn lessons about controls on immigration
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Remainer Stephen Kinnock has told Labour the party has to learn lessons about controls on immigrationCredit: EPA

While Andy Burnham tonight said the party should become the champions of a "fair Brexit".

The Shadow Home Secretary called for Labour to turn a page on immigration and respond to the millions of voters who backed a Brexit - but challenge Theresa May at every turn to ensure Britain gets the right deal from the EU.

Ahead of a speech to conference tomorrow he said: "Let's be the champions of a fair Brexit, not a hard Brexit."

 

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