In a dramatic Prime Minister's Questions showdown, Sir Keir Starmer delivered a scathing condemnation of the government's handling of the small boats crisis, branding the controversial Rwanda deportation scheme a "gimmick" that has spectacularly failed to deliver.
Political Fireworks at PMQs
The Labour leader didn't hold back during Wednesday's parliamentary session, accusing Rishi Sunak of presiding over a "complete failure" on immigration while taxpayers continue to foot the bill for what he called an unworkable plan.
"The Rwanda scheme was always a gimmick," Starmer declared across the despatch box. "The Prime Minister knows it, I know it, and the British public know it. It's time to stop the charade and start dealing with the reality of this crisis."
Sunak's Defence Crumbles Under Pressure
Facing mounting pressure, the Prime Minister attempted to defend his flagship immigration policy, but struggled to counter Starmer's relentless attack on the scheme's effectiveness and mounting costs.
With the Rwanda plan stalled by legal challenges and yet to see a single deportation flight take off, Starmer questioned why the government continues to pour millions into what he described as a "sinking ship."
The Labour leader outlined his alternative approach:
- Immediate scrapping of the "failed" Rwanda scheme
- Strengthening cross-border police cooperation
- Targeting criminal smuggling networks operating in the Channel
- Creating faster processing systems for asylum claims
A Growing Political Storm
The exchange highlights the deepening political divide over immigration policy as both parties position themselves ahead of the next general election. With small boat crossings remaining a persistent problem and public concern growing, the issue has become a key battleground in Westminster.
Political analysts suggest Starmer's aggressive stance signals Labour's intention to make immigration a central campaign issue, challenging the Conservative's traditional stronghold on the topic.
As the debate intensifies, all eyes remain on whether the government can revive its stalled Rwanda policy or whether Labour's calls for a complete overhaul will gain traction with voters frustrated by the ongoing crisis.
