The UK government might as well stop pretending to share the public’s desire to get a handle on illegal migration, for it seems incapable of going a single day without making itself look ridiculous on the issue.
Most recently, it was revealed that an immigration removal centre was offering tens of thousands of pounds—to be coughed up by the taxpayer, of course—for staff to teach balloon craft and floristry to migrants facing deportation. The Heathrow immigration removal centre was also looking for painting and hairdressing tutors and a gym boss.
Some of the jobs, advertised by the contractor Mitie, had annual salaries of nearly £39,000 (€45,000). “Balloonacy,” as The Sun put it.
Bothered by the immense backlash, the government has now asked Mitie to remove these positions from its recruitment website. Home Office minister Seema Malhotra admitted that “we do not believe all these roles are necessary,” which is pretty pathetic given the lunacy of the situation.
Telegraph journalist Allison Pearson said the advertising of the roles was especially bad given that many “ordinary families can’t afford their weekly shop.”
More and more Labour officials are also now getting tired of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s unwavering attachment to the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR), which is used by lefty lawyers to help criminal migrants avoid deportation—even for the most ridiculous ‘reasons.’
Former Labour Home Secretary Jack Straw has urged the PM to change course, saying:
There is no doubt at all that the convention—and crucially its interpretation—is now being used in ways which were never, ever intended when the instrument was drafted in the late 40s and early 50s.
And David Blunkett, another former home secretary, has told ministers to consider the “radical” approach of suspending the ECHR in order to give them time to “get a grip” on illegal migration.
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_.
