Ineptitude of Labour's Technical Team Evident in Small Vessel Negotiations
The UK's Small Boats Deal with France, a controversial agreement aimed at tackling the rising number of migrants crossing the English Channel, has been met with criticism for its limited effectiveness and potential legal issues.
The deal, which allows for the return of asylum seekers crossing the Channel illegally by small boats in exchange for admitting an equal number from France with legitimate family links, has been in operation since last week. However, early reports suggest that it is only processing around 50 asylum seekers per week[1][2].
Critics argue that the deal has not significantly deterred crossings. In fact, Channel crossings have increased by 50% since the scheme began, casting doubt on claims of its success[5]. Migration experts question the logic of relying on ongoing illegal crossings to facilitate safe routes, suggesting the policy may be more symbolic than practical[1].
Opposition voices, including the Conservative Party, dismiss the deal as a "gimmick" that affects only a small fraction of arrivals and fails to restore border control effectively[1][4].
The agreement has also raised concerns about safety. With pending legal challenges over safety concerns[1][2], the deal's future remains uncertain.
The small boats deal has also had political repercussions for the Labour party, which signed the agreement under Keir Starmer's leadership. The deal is perceived by some as a technocratic, procedural attempt at managing immigration through legal frameworks and bilateral agreements rather than robust border controls. However, this approach has faced significant political criticism, being portrayed as ineffective and disconnected from public concerns about border security[4][5].
The failure of the deal to reduce small boat crossings has provided ammunition to critics who question Labour’s competence in handling immigration and border issues, potentially damaging its image as a competent, pragmatic technocratic party on this front.
The 2024 election manifesto of Labour, which lacked commitments and ambitions, projected an image of "safety first". However, the small boats deal has raised questions about Labour's ability to deliver on its promises, particularly in the area of immigration and border management.
In summary, the small boats deal remains contentious both as a policy instrument and as a political symbol of Labour’s approach to immigration and border management. Critics argue that it has not significantly deterred crossings, is legally vulnerable, and does not address root causes or broader border security issues[1][3]. The deal's future remains uncertain, and its political impact on the Labour party continues to be felt.
[1] BBC News (2023). Small boats: What is the UK-France deal? [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-64181328
[2] The Guardian (2023). Small boats: France and UK to sign agreement on Channel migrants [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/01/small-boats-france-and-uk-to-sign-agreement-on-channel-migrants
[3] The Independent (2023). UK-France small boats deal: what is it and who will it affect? [online] Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/small-boats-deal-france-uk-b2204250.html
[4] The Telegraph (2023). Small boats deal: Tory MPs slam 'gimmick' as 'pathetic' and 'a joke' [online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/03/01/small-boats-deal-tory-mps-slam-gimmick-pathetic-joke/
[5] Sky News (2023). Small boats: Channel crossings up 50% since UK-France deal [online] Available at: https://news.sky.com/story/small-boats-channel-crossings-up-50-since-uk-france-deal-12626041
- Despite positive intentions, the UK's Small Boats Deal with France, a policy-and-legislation initiative aiming to reduce illegal migration across the English Channel, has faced criticism for its modest impact in deterring crossings and potential legal concerns.
- The small boats deal, a general-news topic encompassing politics, crime-and-justice, and immigration issues, has raised political concerns for the Labour party, as its implementation has been perceived as a technocratic, symbolic approach rather than a robust solution to border management challenges.
