All of us agree, I am sure, that illegal immigration should be sharply curbed. The cruel trafficking of often vulnerable people to the UK’s shores via small boats and lorries is heart-breaking. It is a scourge of modern life and an issue for all of Europe.
Immigration may not be the vote winner Tories think it is…
However, even if one doubts the legitimacy of some asylum seekers, it is another issue to use a tone of language and introduce policies that, even tangentially, encourage racism. Our lovely Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, is certainly guilty of that. Using phrases over recent months such as ‘an invasion on our southern coast’ and ‘waves of illegal immigrants breaching our border’ supported by a ludicrous figure of 100 million is inflammatory to say the least.
The picture of Braverman laughing in Rwanda is also chilling. Exporting illegal immigrants to a country with a dubious human rights record is an ugly policy, and no government minister should be pleased with it, even if they think such measures are a necessity. Should the courts allow such flights, the policy hardly seems to make much of a difference either, with a current capacity of 200.
Housing illegal immigrants in barracks and on boats is another example of dog whistle politics, attempting to appease Red Wall voters and the hard right generally, two groups that, in reality, have little in common. Add to that, nimbies who live near barracks talking of their fears of potentially dangerous people being housed nearby and it all feels deeply uncomfortable for a humane country. Government rhetoric is partly the reason for it.
Under Sunak, we are now finally pursuing a policy of cooperation with the EU which, of course, particularly in relation to France, is the only solution to sorting illegal immigration in the longer-term. Theresa May knew this years ago.
In the meantime, if the Tories keep pursuing a ‘nasty party’ approach to the issue of ‘small boats’, it may well rebound on them. Labour’s opinion poll lead is still very wide, and they must be clear favourites at the next election. Even voters who dislike immigration generally might find it within themselves to swerve away from the Tories’ approach and focus on other issues. If, for nothing else, to protect their conscience.
Inside Right Politics 