This week, the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, made a statement to the House of Commons on illegal migration, where he outlined his five-point plan to address this problem which is concerning a large number of people across Lincoln, Skellingthorpe, Bracebridge Heath and Waddington East. This week’s tragic deaths in the Channel show the urgency to deal with this problem.
Lincoln’s Conservative MP, Karl, fully endorses this plan in dealing with the unacceptably large number of migrants coming to the UK illegally, which includes over 40,000 from across the Channel. He also strongly condemns the socialist Labour Party for opposing any plans to deal with this problem, which is no surprise, given how weak they have always been on illegal immigration, in the past as much as now.
Over 40,000 people have illegally crossed the Channel in small boats this year, putting pressure on public services. Many originate from safe countries and travel through safe countries, which is why the Prime Minister has prioritised this issue since he took office. So far, he has delivered the largest ever small boats deal with France which increases UK-funded patrols by 40%, re-established the Calais Group of Northern European nations to disrupt traffickers, and set a long-term ambition for a UK-EU wide agreement on migration.
However, the measures announced this week go even further and include:
- A new agreement with Albania so that the vast majority of Albanian claimants can be removed, with weekly flights
- A new, permanent, unified Small Boats Operational Command in the channel with 700 new staff
- Tougher immigration enforcement with 200 new staff and better data sharing with banks
- Cheaper accommodation sites so we can move migrants out of expensive hotels
- Clear the initial asylum backlog by 2023 by doubling the number of caseworkers and radically streamlining the process
Labour is very weak on illegal immigration. Throughout his career, Keir Starmer has blocked steps to strengthen our immigration system. On 36 occasions he has failed to vote for strengthening asylum rules. Instead, he’s spoken in favour of weakening our asylum rules and has stood against illegal migrants being arrested for illegally working here.
Karl, who always Puts Lincolns First!, said: “As a country, we need to get a grip on illegal immigration and I am confident this new five-point plan will do just that. It has my full support. The numbers coming into this country through illegal means have to stop. It is putting pressure on public services as well as causing serious concern amongst the majority of people across Lincoln, Skellingthorpe, Bracebridge Heath and Waddington East. It is unfair to those who come here legally, unfair to those who have a genuine asylum claim – and unfair to the British people who play by the rules. This week’s tragic deaths in the Channel show the urgency to deal with this problem.”
“Only the Conservative Government is taking this issue seriously. Labour’s Leader has continuously voted against attempts to strengthen the rules. The whole Labour Party has always been weak on illegal immigration and it is no different now. It is no surprise of course, given Labour does not care about issues that concern normal people as their sole focus is on policies which are popular in Islington and Hampstead, not what people in places like Lincoln want.”
