Zack Polanski demands £500m for migrants and warns France isn't safe for asylum seekers in 'unusual' Christmas message

The Green leader met with illegal migrants preparing to embark on the perilous 21-mile journey across the Channel, with more than 41,000 having already completed the journey so far in 2025.

Speaking from aboard a boat returning from Calais, Mr Polanski said: "I'm on the ferry coming back from Calais.

"About 50 of these journeys happen every single day. Waved my passport and through I went.

"I'm really aware, though, that I've been the last few days with lots of people who do not have that privilege.

"And they're trying to make this crossing because they literally have no other choice.

"The images and video you're about to see won't centre the voices of the people I have met and that's for deliberate reason; to preserve their dignity.

"But I do want you to see some of what I've witnessed over the last few days through my eyes.

"And telling this story on Christmas Day for a reason. So often, I ask you to like and share my videos and I appreciate that.

"But Christmas Day is a day when most people, not everyone, are around other people.

"So, gather around, because there's a story you need to hear about what's happening in Calais.

"And it's the complete opposite to the misinformation and lies we are fed every single day."

Starting his official message, Mr Polanski continued: "People will often say that France is a safe country and sure, if you're a British citizen going on holiday to Nice, I'm sure it's lovely.

"Calais is not a safe place. Some of the things I've seen over the last few days will stick with me for a long time."

However, France is generally considered a safe country for asylum seekers under both international and EU law.

France is a signatory to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention and operates under a legal framework for processing asylum claims.

Mr Polanski's suggestion that asylum seekers have no other choice but to cross the Channel also appears to contradict official Home Office data.

Almost 40 percent of asylum seekers - 43,600 - arrived on a small boat and a further 11 per cent - 12,100 - entered through other irregular routes in the year ending June 2025.

Meanwhile, a further 41,100 - equating to around 37 per cent - had previously entered the UK on a visa or other leave with relevant documentation.

The remaining 13 per cent of asylum seekers entered through other routes, such as through the common travel area without valid permission to enter.

The Green leader went on to show French police clamping down on illegal migrant camps in Calais, including the removal of wood from sites.

"It is a farcical, deadly cycle that everyone is involved with," Mr Polanski continued.

"And we're funding it. The UK Government is giving £476million over a three-year deal for the militarisation and securitisation of Calais.

"We should be diverting that money to a humanitarian and compassionate response."

The Green leader added: "The rhetoric we hear about 'stopping the boats' and 'smashing the gangs', none of this is working.

"In fact, there's evidence that this whole performative cruelty is actually pushing up the boat crossings and we know that the boat crossings are rising."

The previous Tory Government struck a three-year deal worth £476million to help French authorities crack down on Channel crossings.

Despite Mr Polanski's comments, the deal was met with stern criticism after it emerged French police had refused to tackle migrants who had already entered the Channel.

There has been numerous occasions when undeterred officers have been filmed watching on as migrants clamber aboard dinghies.

The deal, which includes an £184million payment for 2025/26, was due to pay for a doubling in officers patrolling the beaches, a joint command centre and a detention centre.

Mr Polanski also railed against the "political rhetoric and demonisation" of migrants, adding: "I don't believe that we are the country that the media paint us to be."

Concluding his message, the Green leader said: "I realise some of this could be an unusual Christmas Day message but actually at the heart of all of it is compassion, kindness and humanity.

"Whether you're religious or not, I think that's something we can all do more of in 2026."

Mr Polanski is preparing to enter 2026 hot on the tails of Sir Keir Starmer's Labour Party.

The Green leader was also named the most popular party leader in an Opinium poll published earlier this month.