Keir Starmer is stepping up on the small boat migrant issue, making a bold promise to detain and send back those who cross the English Channel illegally. With record numbers making the perilous journey, the pressure is on to find solutions that end the reliance on asylum hotels.
Starmer’s tough new stance comes as Labour’s Lord Falconer warns that the Government must act swiftly to prevent the rise of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK in the polls. The ongoing pilot scheme with France aims to return migrants while providing legal paths for asylum seekers, but it may only scratch the surface with arrivals hitting 29,003 this year.
Meanwhile, the Government scored a legal victory as it won an appeal to keep asylum seekers in the Bell Hotel, Epping, despite protests and further legal challenges from more than 200 hotels across the country. Yet, the conversation is far from over, as multiple councils are weighing their options for legal action.
Protestors aren’t staying silent either, with scenes of clashes outside hotels demonstrating the tensions. From Falkirk to London, public sentiment is high, with protests both failing and flaring up over the weekend.
Epping’s own council is considering escalating the battle to the Supreme Court, while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch stands firm, accusing Starmer of prioritising illegal migrants over British citizens.
As the debate continues, many are watching closely to see if Starmer can deliver results or if Farage’s Reform UK will seize the narrative. What’s your take on the situation? How do you think the UK should handle the migrant crossings? Let’s discuss!