Difficult as it is to imagine Labour’s mismanagement of the Channel migrant crisis getting any worse, news breaks almost every day of yet another major humiliation.
And so, sources told the BBC on Wednesday that France is backing away from its commitment to intercept migrant boats heading to the UK. One figure “closely linked” to French maritime security described the pledge as “a political stunt. It’s much blah-blah,” which is obvious enough from the fact migrants are still leaving from France—already more so far this year than in the whole of 2024.
Robert Bates, who is research director for the Centre for Migration Control, told europeanconservative.com that it was “utter naivety” for the government to believe France would make “any real attempt” to intercept boats in the first place. This would be true at any time, but even more so now given all the political turmoil in Paris.
Bates added that “the prime minister’s migration strategy is falling apart, but it is sadly the British people who will have to deal with the fallout.”
The BBC noted that France’s abandonment of this commitment does not mean it will also stop patrolling its beaches, for all the good that’s doing.
Government Minister Josh MacAlister insisted on Thursday that this “shows the scheme is working” (yes, really):
The scheme is working if people who come here illegally and [have] been returned to France then try and do it again. This guy has used his money to do this. He’s being returned again, and that’s quite right.
MacAlister added that if the migrant comes back to the UK again after being returned again to France, “he will be returned again.” And again. And again. And again.
Children's Minister Josh MacAlister responds to the news that one of the first migrants to be deported under the 'one in, one out' scheme has returned to the UK in another small boat.
Michael Curzon is a news writer for europeanconservative.com based in England’s Midlands. He is also Editor of Bournbrook Magazine, which he founded in 2019, and previously wrote for London’s Express Online. His Twitter handle is @MichaelCurzon_.
