Keir Starmer vows to put an end to ineffective approach at Channel crossings
In a warning to those behind small boat crossings, Starmer will say, ‘These shores will become hostile territory for you.”Keir Starmer vows to put an end to ineffective approach at Channel crossings
Labour will divert millions of pounds earmarked for Rwanda deportation flights to set up a new body to tackle criminal smuggling gangs, Sir Keir Starmer will announce today.
In a keynote speech laying out the party’s plans to end the Conservatives’ “talk tough, do nothing” approach to Channel crossings, the Labour leader will promise new powers to clamp down on smugglers and hundreds of specialist investigators.
In a warning to those behind small boat crossings, Sir Keir will say: “These shores are not welcome territory for you.” Sir Keir will add: “Hostile territory, in fact.”
Despite Rishi Sunak repeatedly promising to “stop the boats”, arrivals across the Channel this year are at a record high.The prime minister’s flagship Rwanda scheme is set to deport the first migrants to Kigali this summer. However, the scheme has shown no sign of deterring migrants since passing into law.
Labor is planning to allocate some of the £75 million intended for the scheme. A new Border Security Command will be funded with this diverted money. The command will be modelled on the office for security and counterterrorism.
The party will install a new border security commander. This individual will work across intelligence agencies to protect the UK’s borders.Keir Starmer vows to put an end to ineffective approach at Channel crossings
Hire Intelligence Agents
Labor will hire hundreds of intelligence agents. They will also hire cross-border police officers. These agents and officers will support the Border Security Command. Their role will be to tackle smuggling gangs.
Sir Keir will speak on the Kent coast and reaffirm Labour’s intention to abolish the Rwanda scheme. This follows the recent defection of Dover MP Natalie Elphicke.
The Labour leader will say: “Rebuilding our asylum system is a test of political strength.” “A trial of leadership to resist voices who fundamentally do not want to rebuild a functioning asylum system.”
It has become a challenge to prioritize practical solutions over politics. We must reject performative symbols, gimmicks, and gestures at all times.
Sir Keir will criticize the “rank incompetence” of the Conservatives regarding immigration. He will accuse Mr Sunak of refusing to process asylum seekers’ claims, resulting in a permanent backlog.
He will say, “Even if they have no right to be here, they cannot be removed.” However, the government ends up billing the taxpayer for expensive hotel accommodations instead. Therefore, they have achieved the opposite of their claimed goal.
Sir Keir will add: “A Travelodge amnesty, handed out by the Tory party.” “If nothing else, it is warmer and safer than spending winter under canvas near a beach in northern France.”If you don’t think that’s what the gangs are telling the people they exploit, you don’t know them.”
Among the measures set to be proposed by Sir Keir are new border control stops and searches, built on powers created in 2000 by the Terrorism Act, along with new financial investigation powers and search and seizure warrants targeting organised immigration crime.
A New Border Security Command
In the interim, a new Border Security Command will come into being.This command will bring together agencies such as the National Crime Agency, Immigration Enforcement, and MI5.
Some 8,826 migrants have arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel so far this year, provisional Home Office figures show.
This is up 32 per cent on this time last year, when 6,691 migrants were recorded, and a 14 per cent rise compared with the same period in 2022 (7,750).
Campaigners warned that the current asylum system is in “meltdown.” It was cautioned that the situation will worsen further if prompt adjustments are not implemented.
Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said “whoever is in government” must focus on ensuring fairness in the system above anything else, adding: “The Illegal Migration Act must be scrapped immediately, along with plans to ship people off on a one-way ticket to Rwanda.”
Creating a fair asylum system
Instead of wasting time on legislation banning the right to asylum, we should focus on creating a fair asylum system. This system should be efficient and humane, rather than dehumanizing those in need of safety.
Refugee Action chief executive Tom Naor Hilton said: “Whoever makes up the next government, they must end this hostile environment and build a refugee protection system that respects people’s right to claim asylum, creates safe routes to reach the UK, and tackles the racism that lies at the heart of immigration policy.”
Home secretary James Cleverly made the following statement: “Rather than starting flights to remove undocumented people and stopping the boats, Sir Keir Starmer proposes an amnesty for all such individuals. This would mean abandoning our Rwanda plan, even if it is successful.”
Keir Starmer previously stated that immigration controls are ‘racist’. He also blocked the deportation of violent sexual offenders. Therefore, few people believe that he genuinely wants to control our borders. Actions speak louder than words, Keir Starmer will never be on the side of the British people.”
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