“There are a number of reasons for my concern – partly because of events in the UK, partly because of developments in other European countries, including France and Germany.”

British Labour Party leader Starmer came to power early last month with a landslide victory over the Conservatives, marking a rare triumph for a European centre-left party in recent times.

However, the anti-immigration Reform UK Party also received 14 percent of the vote in the poll – one of the highest vote shares for a far-right British party in British electoral history.

“I think democracy and progressives need to rise to this challenge and we need to have a shared discussion about what this means across Europe and beyond. I am very keen to continue this discussion with the progressive parties,” Starmer added.

06:27

‘Comprehensive review’ of Sino-British relations as new Labour government seeks to reset bilateral ties

‘Comprehensive review’ of Sino-British relations as new Labour government seeks to reset bilateral ties

Earlier this month, anti-Islamic riots broke out in several English cities, with rioters shouting anti-immigrant slogans and slogans such as “Stop the boats” – a reference to asylum seekers crossing the Channel from France.

Authorities blamed the unrest on disinformation and far-right figures such as Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party and arch-Eurosceptic. The unrest targeted mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers, as well as police and other buildings.

Starmer said he believed “implementation and honesty are the best way to deal with the snake oil of populism and nationalism”.

In Berlin, however, he tried to strike a more positive tone, stressing that, even if the situation initially worsens, the country will be in a better position at the end of the current legislative period in five years.

“This is actually a project of hope, but it has to start with the hard work, with doing the difficult tasks, with cleaning up the decay,” Starmer insisted.