Labour Leader Urges Closer EU Cooperation on Small Boats Crisis, Fueling Immigration Policy Debate
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has called for closer cooperation with the European Union (EU) to address the small boats crisis and tackle organized immigration crime. Despite claims that such cooperation would relinquish control of immigration policy to Brussels, Sir Keir stressed the importance of a joint effort to combat the vile trade in human smuggling operating between France and the UK. The Labour leader’s proposal includes a potential agreement with the EU to accept a quota of asylum seekers who arrive in the bloc, in exchange for the ability to return individuals who cross the English Channel.
During his visit to The Hague in the Netherlands, Sir Keir held talks with Europol, the EU’s law enforcement agency, to discuss intelligence sharing and security cooperation in the post-Brexit era. He highlighted the need for deeper intelligence ties with Europe and enhanced powers to restrict the movement of those involved in organized immigration crime.
The Conservative Party, however, criticized Sir Keir’s willingness to negotiate with the EU on accepting a migrant quota. Home Secretary Suella Braverman accused him of turning the UK into a dumping ground for Europe’s migrants. In response, Sir Keir emphasized that it is currently criminal gangs, rather than the UK, deciding who enters the country. He underlined his primary goal of preventing people from making dangerous sea crossings in the first place, through collaboration with police forces across countries and dismantling criminal networks.
Labour will restore the security of Britain’s borders.
Good to be in The Hague to set out how. pic.twitter.com/TZEWrUYt5P
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) September 13, 2023
Labour’s plans also involve seeking a new agreement with the EU to share real-time intelligence, similar to the pre-Brexit access to the Schengen Information System II. They would further strengthen powers to target people smugglers through civil orders, known as serious crime prevention orders, and deploy more British officers in Europe to disrupt criminal gangs.
Sir Keir refrained from specifying the number of asylum seekers he would be open to accepting under an EU-wide agreement. He highlighted the importance of addressing the root causes of migration and preventing the illicit trade rather than solely focusing on returns.
Funding for Labour’s proposed measures would come from reallocating resources from the government’s contested plan to relocate asylum seekers to Rwanda, which has faced multiple legal challenges.
The political debate surrounding immigration and cooperation with the EU continues, with Home Secretary Mrs. Braverman cautioning against relinquishing control of immigration policy to Brussels. Health Secretary Steve Barclay echoed concerns about surrendering decision-making on quotas but assured the public that the government remains committed to tough deterrent measures.
Sir Keir’s visit to Europol in The Hague aligns with his efforts to establish international partnerships on security issues. Reports suggest he may soon meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris and potentially seek a meeting with US President Joe Biden, showcasing a willingness to engage with global leaders on key policy areas.
