Sunak pressured as small boat deaths continue

author: FutureCar Staff    

Rishi Sunak is facing increasing pressure to address the small boats crisis after a tragic incident off the coast of France resulted in the deaths of six people. On Saturday, despite the dangerous conditions, 509 individuals crossed the English Channel in 10 small boats, bringing the total for the year to 16,679.

Both Labour and senior Conservatives criticized the Home Office for its handling of the asylum system, describing it as dysfunctional and out of control. Some Tory MPs blamed the French for the deaths, suggesting that their intervention could put an end to the illegal trade. Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson called the Home Office shambolic and incompetent.

The Labour Party aims to negotiate a migrant returns agreement with the EU following the loss of the Dublin regulation during the Brexit process. Some Tory MPs criticized France for allegedly escorting the overloaded small boat that sank in the Channel. Former Tory party chair Sir Jake Berry suggested leaving the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to address the issue, but former deputy prime minister David Lidington warned against such a move, as it could damage the UK's reputation.

Pulling out of the ECHR would create complications with other European nations, as well as the Good Friday Agreement and the post-Brexit trade deal with the EU. Senior Conservative Tim Loughton called for improvements in the Home Office's processing times for asylum claims. Investigations into the tragic incident are ongoing, and charities are urging the establishment of safe routes to prevent further loss of life.

The plan to house migrants on the Bibby Stockholm barge faced criticism after Legionella bacteria were found in the water supply. However, the government still intends to use other vessels in different locations for housing migrants. Some Tory MPs expressed their frustration with the Home Office's handling of the crisis and called for changes in its structure.

There have been calls for Home Secretary Suella Braverman to resign over her management of the crisis, but others, such as Sir John Hayes, support concentrating arrivals and using barges to house migrants.

FutureCar Staff