Sir Keir Starmer has declared he will immediately begin dismantling the government's flagship Rwanda asylum scheme within his first 100 days as Prime Minister, should Labour win the upcoming general election.
The 'Expensive Gimmick'
In a bold commitment, the Labour leader branded the controversial deportation plan an "expensive gimmick" that has utterly failed to address the small boats crisis. The scheme, which has already cost taxpayers hundreds of millions, has yet to see a single flight take off for Rwanda.
Labour's Alternative Approach
Starmer outlined his party's comprehensive strategy to tackle irregular Channel crossings, which includes:
- Establishing a new Border Security Command
- Hundreds of new specialist investigators
- Enhanced counter-terror style powers to disrupt smuggling networks
- Faster processing of asylum claims
"The Rwanda scheme is a complete failure by any measure," Starmer stated during a campaign event. "It's cost a fortune and hasn't deterred a single boat. We need serious solutions, not political theatre."
Political Battle Lines Drawn
The announcement sets up immigration as a key battleground in the coming election campaign. While the government maintains the threat of removal to Rwanda acts as a deterrent, Labour argues the evidence proves otherwise, with Channel crossings continuing at significant levels.
Starmer's pledge represents one of the most definitive commitments of his leadership, signalling Labour's intention to make a clean break from current immigration policies and pursue what they describe as a "practical, not political" approach to border security.
