1,000 more migrants cross on small boats - THIS is exactly why Braverman is right

The boats are still coming following Suella Braverman's criticism of Rishi Sunak

The boats are still coming following Suella Braverman's criticism of Rishi Sunak

PA
Michael  Heaver

By Michael Heaver


Published: 17/11/2023

- 14:17

GB News Community Editor Michael Heaver reflects on more devastating illegal migration figures

Stop the boats? Sorry Rishi, you're still nowhere near.

The Government's pledge to stop illegal immigration across from France still lies in tatters. And we know that GB News viewers and voters across the country are utterly furious.


In response to this, we've recently seen the Tory Party's poll ratings dip below 20 per cent and Reform UK hitting new highs.

In fairness, both Boris Johnson and Liz Truss also failed to end what is a growing crisis.

But it is Sunak who specifically has made 'stop the boats' a key pledge, whilst sacking his Home Secretary.

Here is the reality: on 12th November a further 615 people crossed on 12 boats.

Then yesterday, on 16th November, a further 356 migrants made the journey on 7 boats in a single day.

So that's another 19 boats bringing a further 971 people across, exposing the Government's 'stop the boats' pledge as a farce currently.

The Prime Minister keeps reiterating that he still intends to stop this madness - but ditching Suella Braverman was a huge error.

The Supreme Court's ruling on Rwanda has led to more tough talk from Sunak - but the solution has been blindingly obvious for a while now.

It involves, as Conservative MPs like Andrea Jenkyns are calling for, ditching the ECHR.

Of course Braverman has made such a call previously as well, now backed up by a push in the Daily Telegraph to ensure that when it comes to legislation moving forward: “The Bill must exclude all avenues of legal challenge. The entirety of the Human Rights Act and European Convention on Human Rights, and other relevant international obligations, or legislation, including the Refugee Convention, must be disapplied by way of clear notwithstanding' clauses."

Meanwhile Tory MP Simon Clarke has followed up Braverman's call by arguing: "Suella sets out clear and rigorous tests for new legislation on small boats.

"We should be crystal clear: half measures won’t work. We need the legislation that is brought forward to be truly effective, and if the Lords block it - let’s take it to the country."

These sorts of tough, decisive approaches currently seem beyond Sunak.

He could have gone for a snap election following the Supreme Court's judgement, but chose not to.

He could have long ago called a referendum on leaving the ECHR.

He could even have shown some leadership and got on with ditching these absurd obstacles to a popular Government policy in Rwanda - but instead we're getting more dither and tough words still yet to be backed up by actual action.

As a result, be in no doubt: the boats are still very much coming.

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