The UK government is facing challenges in controlling illegal immigration, with over 23,000 people crossing the English Channel in small boats between the last general election and the end of last year. The situation is getting worse, with an increasing number of people dying in the process. The Border Force is faced with floating crime scenes when dinghies are intercepted, with both the living and the dead found together.
In a bid to tackle the perception that they are soft or indecisive on this issue, the Labour party has adopted a policy of showing rather than telling. They want to be seen as firm, and the government is keen to appear muscular.
The Home Office recently published pictures of illegal immigrants being deported and is talking up a “surge” and “blitz” to go after those working illegally in the UK. The Conservatives feel the government erred in cancelling the plan to send some migrants to Rwanda as it discouraged others from trying to enter the UK. They are also keen to make it much harder for migrants to gain UK citizenship.
The growing trend of Reform UK, whose supporters are drawn by their uncompromising stance on immigration, is causing concern for both the Labour and Conservative parties. The White House’s theatrical style, as typified by former President Trump, has attracted the attention of Labour officials who are looking for ways to engage with their supporters in a similar manner.
An international summit is being held in London next month to discuss border security, a topic that will be further explored in a white paper expected in March or April. Immigration is an issue of great importance to the UK population, as it represents a visible sign of state failure and broken promises. The government is attempting to show that they are trying to address this pressing issue
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