In a scathing critique of the government's handling of the small boats crisis, Labour's Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has demanded immediate and decisive action from France.
Cooper lambasted the current administration for what she termed a "complete failure" to secure a vital new returns agreement with European nations. This failure, she argues, has left the UK's borders vulnerable and has allowed migrant crossings across the English Channel to persist.
A Deal Stuck in the Past
The shadow minister highlighted a critical flaw in the government's strategy, pointing out that the existing agreement with France is merely a "rehash" of previous, ineffective deals. She emphasised that without a new, robust arrangement that includes returning asylum seekers, the cycle of dangerous crossings will continue unabated.
"We need that returns agreement in place," Cooper stated, underscoring the necessity for a cooperative European-wide solution to what is a transnational challenge.
Cleverly's French Mission
This forceful intervention from the Labour frontbench comes as the current Home Secretary, James Cleverly, is scheduled to travel to Paris. The purpose of his visit is to engage in talks aimed at strengthening the UK's collaboration with French authorities on this pressing issue.
The government faces mounting pressure to demonstrate tangible progress and a clear strategy to break the business model of people smuggling gangs and prevent the perilous journeys across one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.
With the small boats crisis remaining a top political and humanitarian concern, the effectiveness of these cross-channel negotiations is being closely watched by both sides of the House.
