The Tories have pulled a fast one on Starmer with their new EU migration deal - Analysis by Millie Cooke

The Tories have pulled a fast one on Starmer with their new EU migration deal - Analysis by Millie Cooke

WATCH: James Cleverly discusses EU migration

GB NEWS
Millie Cooke

By Millie Cooke


Published: 23/02/2024

- 16:45

Updated: 26/02/2024

- 11:23

Labour needs to prove to voters that they have a realistic plan to tackle illegal migration

The Tories have announced a shiny new deal with the EU, aimed at cracking down on illegal migration coming to the UK.

The UK and European border agency Frontex will train officials together, share intelligence and station liaison staff to co-ordinate with each other.


Speaking about the deal, Cleverly said: "This government has a plan to break the model of the smuggling gangs, end the abuse of our asylum system and stop the boats. The plan is working with crossings down by a third — but we must go further.

"Organised immigration crime and people smuggling are global challenges that require shared solutions and ambitions.

Starmer/Cleverly

The Tories have announced a shiny new deal with the EU, aimed at cracking down on illegal migration coming to the UK

PA

"Our landmark working arrangement between the UK and Frontex is another crucial step in tackling illegal migration, securing our borders and stopping the boats."

The cross-border migration strategy will also see the EU and UK cooperation on developing technologies to protect borders, such as using drones for surveillance.

Sound familiar? That's because it is.

Just six months ago, Labour unveiled a remarkably similar plan, involving cooperation with the EU to monitor smuggling gangs and return migrants who cross the Channel.

In addition to a promise to scrap the Government's Rwanda plan, Starmer's plan to stop the boats also involves the expansion of laws used to target serious criminals, terrorists and drug traffickers.

At the time, the Tories laughed.

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The then Home Secretary Suella Braverman warned: "Finally we see Sir Keir Starmer’s migration plan. He’ll let Brussels decide who comes to the UK.

"He’ll agree to make Britain the dumping ground for many of the millions of illegal migrants that Europe doesn’t want. And none of this will stop the boats."

Meanwhile, Penny Mordaunt compared Starmer to Barbie character, "Beach Ken", saying he has "zero balls".

"Beach Ken stands for nothing on shifting sands in his flip flops staring out to sea, doing nothing constructive to stop small boats or grow the economy", the Leader of the House of Commons jeered.

But months on, after they'd spent a good month laughing at Labour's plan, the Tories have quietly snuck out their own version.

While there are differences - Labour's plan could involve taking a quota of migrants in order to be able to return those that cross the Channel - the central theme of cooperation with the EU to crack down on the crossings is present in both.

The Tories have done one over on Labour, pinching one of their central plans to tackle migration, putting them in a good position to attack Labour when they stick by their plan to scrap the Rwanda scheme.

Labour needs to prove to voters that they have a realistic plan to tackle illegal migration - and it will need to go above and beyond what the Tories are now offering.

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