Every prime minister since 2010 has pledged to find a solution to the seemingly intractable problem of illegal migration.
So far it has eluded them. But will that change? Rishi Sunak has pledged to crack down on the small boats bringing migrants across the Channel – no ifs, no buts.
In reality, he has little choice – regaining control of Britain’s borders is crucial to Tory prospects in the next election.
Most voters are shocked that thousands are illegally landing on our beaches and walking into new lives here with impunity.
The best way to stop this appalling scandal is to convince migrants that there is no point in coming to the UK without permission.
DAILY MAIL COMMENTS: Every prime minister since 2010 has pledged to find a solution to the seemingly intractable problem of illegal migration
Mr Sunak’s flagship bill is all about banning Channel migrants from seeking asylum here, only to quickly detain and deport them. That would be a powerful deterrent.
However, his plans run into major obstacles. Even before it was published, the legislation met fierce opposition from the left – Labour, Whitehall’s ‘blob’, shroud-waving charities and human rights lawyers.
They will use every trick in the book to resist attempts to remove those who have no right to be here, to thwart a government trying to carry out the wishes of the British people.
For the liberal orthodoxy, every Channel hopper is on the run from war and death. The reality is that the majority are economic migrants.
Predictably, Labor cartels that the crackdown is ‘unworkable’. But what are the answers? Stricter enforcement against human traffickers (operating outside the UK) and speeding up the asylum process (which makes human rights laws diabolically difficult).
The truth is that Sir Keir Starmer has no interest in controlling migration as he is ideologically committed to free movement. One thing that would solve the din of small boats in one fell swoop is if France took back every illegal migrant.
With Sunak’s new Brexit deal thawing relations with Europe, he should float the idea during his meeting with Emmanuel Macron on Friday. Destroying the incentive to sail would end the migrant flood.
Come on, Mr. Keir
Sir Keir loves nothing more than lecturing others on the importance of openness, honesty and integrity in public life.
But when it comes to transparency about his own political dealings, the Labor leader gives a masterclass in evasiveness.
He was asked nine times in a radio interview when he first approached top government official Sue Gray about becoming his chief of staff. Nine times he refused to answer.
“There’s nothing inappropriate,” he sputtered. If that’s the case, why doesn’t the shrewd Sir Keir tell us when he offered her the job?
By advising ministers on sensitive government matters while at the same time being in secret meetings with Labour, Ms Gray has broken up to four anti-sleaze rules.
She has proven that large swathes of our supposedly independent civil service exist as another branch of the left-wing, Tory-disgusting blob. And to the public it looks grubby that the woman whose Partygate investigation helped oust Boris Johnson is now associating with the opposition.
With Angela Rayner dismissing the episode as a Tory conspiracy theory, it’s clear Labor is upset. Sir Keir must now live up to his own self-righteous standards and be honest.
DAILY MAIL COMMENTS: Sir Keir loves to lecture others about the importance of openness, honesty and integrity in public life (photo Sue Gray)
A stupid tax increase
Leaving the EU was meant to unlock Britain’s intrepid entrepreneurial spirit and boost prosperity.
Instead, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt threatens to stifle our post-pandemic recovery by raising more taxes on the economy.
Proceeding with a six percentage point corporate tax increase on April 1 would hurt businesses, deter investment from within, jeopardize jobs and undermine competitiveness. Stop rambling, Chancellor, don’t be an April fool.
COMMENT IN THE DAILY MAIL: Chancellor Jeremy Hunt threatens to stifle our post-pandemic recovery by raising more taxes on the economy