UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer found himself in hot water with his own base this week after gently criticizing mass migration. Though he added a pro-immigration caveat, his message was still enough to provoke outrage from leftists accusing him of racism. But if Starmer was trying to read the room, the polls say he’s not wrong: British voters are fed up with open borders.

A More in Common poll shows that just 3% of Britons want more immigration. In contrast, 47% want to see it “significantly” reduced. And while Reform UK voters unsurprisingly lead the charge at 86%, even a majority of Labour supporters agree that immigration levels should go down.

Another survey by YouGov confirms the trend, showing that 53% of voters agreed with Starmer’s recent comment that mass immigration has “no proven link to economic growth” and can harm the “fabric of society.” Only 27% disagreed — a clear sign that elite consensus is wildly out of step with public sentiment.

But if Starmer was hoping a few soundbites would restore confidence, he’s got a long road ahead. Despite the tough talk, 41% of voters said they don’t believe his policies will make any real difference. Nine percent even believe he’ll increase migration.

That skepticism is well-earned. The UK’s border crisis has gone from bad to worse. Illegal crossings on the southern coast have surged, and gross legal migration has now topped one million people per year. The public sees what’s happening and isn’t buying the spin anymore.

Even more striking, immigration and asylum have now overtaken the economy and healthcare as the most pressing issue in the country — the first time that’s happened since the 2016 Brexit referendum.

Voters aren’t just worried about numbers, either. They’re increasingly linking mass migration with crime, government dysfunction, and a loss of social cohesion. Despite this, much of the UK media — and many in Parliament — continue to treat any criticism of immigration policy as morally unacceptable.

But that scolding hasn’t worked. Support for reducing migration has been building for months, especially among undecideds. Those who once shrugged at the issue are now making up their minds — and not in favor of open borders.

The realignment is being driven in part by Reform UK and its leader Nigel Farage, who has surged in recent polls. Farage’s unapologetic border control message has hit a nerve with voters across party lines. His party swept the local elections earlier this month, forcing Labour to pivot — even if halfheartedly.

While Starmer is attempting to thread the needle, hoping to keep centrist voters on board without alienating the hard left, the public mood may be leaving him behind. People aren’t just asking for more balanced immigration policy — they’re demanding serious reforms, and they’re losing patience with politicians who won’t deliver.

With legal migration exceeding one million per year and illegal arrivals continuing to pour in unchecked, voters are sounding the alarm. And if this polling trend continues, the consequences for politicians who ignore it could be massive.

Britain’s border backlash is here — and it’s growing.