Keir Starmer's dishonest attack on Nigel Farage as 'the enemy' will backfire

The enemy! It's a strong term to use. In fact, plenty of people in public life who have been branded "the enemy" - whether they're politicians, judges or civil servants - have complained that it puts them in real danger. They fear people out there will see it as a good reason to commit physical violence against them.

But that didn't stop Sir Keir Starmer, as he branded Reform UK leader Nigel Farage an enemy - and told a series of untruths about Mr Farage's position. Sir Keir told Labour's annual conference that anyone who claims "people who have lived here for generations" should now be deported is "an enemy of national renewal".

It was a response to Mr Farage's announcement that a Reform UK Government would scrap indefinite leave to remain. That would mean forcing people to re-apply for visas every five years - and yes, some people would probably have their applications refused, and would have to leave.

It's a controversial policy, and if you don't like it then you have every right to say so. But look closely at what Sir Keir said, because he made a lot of accusations that just can't be justified.

First, he talked about people "who have lived here for generations". So not immigrants at all - he was actually talking about the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of immigrants, who are very unlikely to be affected by the Reform plan.

And then, Sir Keir went on to talk about horrific, racist behaviour - as if this was connected to the Reform policy.

He talked about graffiti "telling a Chinese takeaway owner to 'go home'", and suggestions that people "cannot be English or British because of the colour of their skin".

And to make it crystal clear that did mean Nigel Farage, Sir Keir said: "There is a line, a moral line, and it isn't just Farage who crosses it."

I suspect Sir Keir's supporters would say that he never suggested Mr Farage supported all these things. That the reference to racist graffiti was actually aimed at other people, perhaps people like rabble-rouser Tommy Robinson.

But that would be disingenuous, because Sir Keir was clearly linking all these things together. And he was trying to draw a connection in people's minds between Mr Farage and the more unpleasant flag-waving thugs who really do behave in an indefensible and racist way.

It's right to condemn these people. It's wrong to suggest Mr Farage is one of them, because he's clearly not.

And voters know this. Even the ones that don't like Nigel Farage much can see that he's not the type of person Sir Keir pretends he is.

There are some left wingers who love nothing more than calling their opponents racist for no good reason. They will be cheering the Prime Minister today. But plenty of voters find that approach repulsive.