Labour's rebels could force a vote in parliament over the Government's planned immigration reforms as their war with Starmer ramps up.
They want to force a 'symbolic' division on Shabana Mahmood's plan to double the time it will take immigrants to qualify for indefinite leave to remain (ILR), from five to 10 years.
It comes after former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner became the most high-profile critic of the proposal, labelling it 'un-British'.
Controversially, the plans would apply retrospectively to migrants already here - affecting 2.2 million people who have arrived since 2021.
Ms Rayner said the proposal championed by the Home Secretary amounted to 'moving the goalposts', saying it 'undermines our sense of fair play.'
Critics of the plan on the Labour benches are preparing to invoke a little-used parliamentary procedure to force a symbolic vote on the measures in the coming months, the BBC reported.
Communities Secretary Steve Reed stressed that Labour was elected on a manifesto commitment to reform the immigration system. But he admitted there was a 'robust' debate within Labour over the policy.
Rebels want to force a 'symbolic' division on Shabana Mahmood's plan to double the time it will take immigrants to qualify for indefinite leave to remain (ILR), from five to 10 years.
Controversially, the plans would apply retrospectively to migrants already here - affecting 2.2 million people. Ms Rayner said the proposal amounted to 'moving the goalposts'
Communities Secretary Steve Reed admitted there was a 'robust' debate within Labour over the policy
'At the general election, Labour promised to bring in an immigration system that works for Britain but is also fair to those who may be seeking asylum from wars or other horrific incidents that are happening abroad,' he said.
'The Home Secretary has announced what she would like to do. She said at the time that we would consult on those changes, and we're currently going through that consultation.
'But the thing that is pulling communities apart is those political forces that see advantage for themselves in division.'
A particular concern on the Labour benches is the potential for the change in the ILR timetable for people who are already in the UK and had expected to receive permanent settlement under the five-year qualification period.
Ms Rayner said on Tuesday: 'We cannot talk about earning a settlement if we keep moving the goalposts, because moving the goalposts undermines our sense of fair play. It's un-British.'
Allies of Ms Mahmood this week said she was committed to the plan, which is due to be introduced this year.
But Downing Street opened the door to a climbdown, saying it was looking at 'transitional arrangements' that could allow some recent migrants to wait much less than ten years if they have contributed to the economy and society.
Any bid to water down the plans could cost the taxpayer billions in higher welfare payments.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said the Conservatives were ready to vote with the Government if the Prime Minister was willing to face down Ms Rayner and his MPs. 'Although we would go further, these changes are a step in the right direction,' he said.