Starmer roll out pink carpet for all-comers, writes Jacob Rees-Mogg
Just a few days ago, Rishi Sunak warned that illegal migrants were ‘queuing up’ in Calais waiting for a soft-touch Starmer government so that they can come to the UK and stay here.
The Prime Minister was entirely right to do so.
However, he could have also spoken of other people eagerly anticipating Sir Keir in Downing Street: the tens of thousands of illegal migrants who are already here.
That’s because they know that a Labour government will also certainly mean nothing less than an asylum amnesty for the vast majority of those people – not new controls and checks on illegal migration.
Sir Keir has famously pledged to scrap our Rwanda deportation scheme almost as soon as he crosses the threshold of No 10.
Labour party leader Sir Keir Starmer pictured today speaking at a campaign event in London
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pictured on Armed Forces Day in his constituency in Richmond and Northallerton
The inescapable implication of such a move would be to add an estimated 90,000 migrants now earmarked for removal to the safe African country to the asylum application process. No longer waiting for deportation, they would simply join the asylum queue.
Moreover, as was reported last week, Refugee Council officials estimated that up to 70 per cent of them –- about 60,000 – could be granted asylum in the UK.
At a stroke under Sir Keir, the only real deterrent to the evil trade of people-smuggling would be removed.
The genuine sanction of removal to Rwanda would be replaced by no threat or dissuasion, rather a latter-day version of the welcome mat that Tony Blair infamously produced for EU migrants in the early 2000s.
For what in reality is Labour proposing to do to curb the small-boats crisis?
Sir Keir’s oft-repeated vow to ‘smash the criminal boat gangs’ is accompanied by a solemn pledge to set up a ‘new Border Security Command’.
Such a new body already exists and is already working to target the despicable people smugglers. The Labour leader’s pledge amounts to little more than a new brass nameplate and some new headed stationery.
Migrants pictured crossing the English Channel on a small boat in March this year
Sir Keir has famously pledged to scrap our Rwanda deportation scheme almost as soon as he crosses the threshold of No 10
Yet even this hollow promise to create something that already exists was an afterthought.
As we know, Sir Keir’s original ‘five missions’ declaration contained no reference to curb illegal migration at all.
The Border Security Command was only hastily tagged on as an extra priority as part of his ‘first steps’ just a few weeks ago. That’s because tackling illegal migration is as much an empty Labour pledge as their promise not to find stealthy new ways to increase taxes if they win the election.
After all, arch-Remainer Sir Keir has made no secret of his desire to renegotiate our post-Brexit trade deal with the EU, despite reports that Brussels will insist on our accepting 100,000 of their illegal migrants as the price. I hope and trust that voters will see through Labour’s subterfuge on immigration.
The North East Somerset and Hanham constituency that I am seeking to represent is not on the front line, so to speak.
It lies on the outskirts of Bristol, not Dover.
As we know, Sir Keir’s original ‘five missions’ declaration contained no reference to curb illegal migration at all
However, it is striking how when I talk to people, so many raise the issue of uncontrolled immigration and the perception that illegal migrants are getting special treatment.
As with fair-minded people across the country, they do not quibble with genuine asylum seekers getting refuge in the UK. But they want the system to be scrupulously fair, balanced and properly organised.
A re-elected Conservative government would deliver that by delivering on the Rwanda scheme. Labour would deliver warm words and little else.
Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg is the Conservative candidate for North East Somerset and Hanham
