Lee Anderson has issued a brutal one-word takedown over a key election promise made by Keir Starmer. His scathing comment supported a mock letter penned by fellow Reform member, Rael Braverman, asking X how many gangs had been “smashed” since Labour’s takeover, a word Starmer repeatedly used in his election campaign in reference to smugglers in the English Channel.

Braverman, who joined Reform in December 2024, asked: “Dear Labour, Can we get an update, please, on how many gangs have been smashed? Many thanks.” In a brutal takedown, Lee Anderson, the Reform UK MP for Ashfield, quipped a one-word conclusion, simply writing: “Zero.” In the 12 months since Starmer became Prime Minister, around 44,000 migrants have arrived.

Keir Starmer promised to ‘smash the gangs’ responsible for dangerous migrant crossings (Image: Getty)

Almost 20,000 migrants crossed the Channel in small boats in the first six months of 2025 – a 48% increase on the same period in 2024.

Some 50,637 arrivals were recorded during Rishi Sunak’s 20-month premiership, which began on October 25, 2022, and ended on 5 July, 2024.

Under Labour, Home Office proposals promise to punish the gangs responsible for the dangerous crossings, including facing an offence of endangering lives at sea, which carries a potential five-year jail term.

Acts in preparation of smuggling, such as buying boat parts, carries a jail term of up to 14 years in prison.

Those who arrive by small boats will face an almost impossible task of becoming a British citizen. Previously, refugees who entered this way could apply for citizenship after 10 years.

The changes mean that anyone deemed to have entered the country illegally – including those already here – will not be able to apply for citizenship.

Ministers are also spending £150 million to establish a new Border Security Command to lead efforts to tackle the issue.