Concerns Over Accommodation Policies
Many constituents have contacted me, expressing deep concern about large-scale accommodation being imposed on communities without consultation and without consideration for the strain on local services or public safety.
Government’s Failure on Illegal Migration
These tensions are exacerbated by the government’s inability to manage illegal migration. Despite the Labour leader’s pre-election pledge to “smash the gangs,” small boat crossings have reached record levels.
Yes, successive governments, including my own party’s, must share the blame for allowing this situation to escalate. However, Labour’s decision to abandon the Rwanda deterrent has significantly worsened the crisis.
Impact of the Rwanda Policy Cancellation
The Rwanda deterrent was straightforward: anyone arriving illegally would either be returned to their home country or, if that was unsafe, sent to Rwanda to have their claim processed there. The first flight was scheduled for July 2024, but Labour cancelled the policy on day one.
The outcome? Over 52,000 people have crossed the Channel in 2025 alone.
Floundering Proposals from Reform UK
It’s not just Labour that is struggling with this issue. Reform UK’s recent proposals appeared to be a rehash of the Conservative Party’s Deportation Bill, mixed with confusion, including a short-lived suggestion to deport unaccompanied children before backtracking.
Need for Comprehensive Solutions
This is a complex issue that requires thorough consideration. The Conservatives have outlined clear and actionable proposals: automatic deportation for all illegal arrivals, disapplying the Human Rights Act in immigration cases, visa sanctions for countries refusing to accept their nationals, and mandatory scientific age checks for asylum seekers.
The party is also carefully evaluating whether withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) will enhance our control Overover borders, and if so, Howhow this can be accomplished along with the necessary consequential measures. This review, led by Lord Wolfson, is expected to report in early October.
Broader Migration Issues
In addition to addressing small boat crossings, the government must consider the wider context and manage net migration effectively. The previous Conservative government introduced Toughtough yet fair measures, such as preventing dependents from accompanying students, raising the salary threshold for family visas to £28,000, and tightening work visa regulations. These changes were effective.
If the government is genuinely committed to “smashing the gangs,” it must move beyond empty slogans and implement serious policies—or adopt those from the Conservatives’ Deportation Bill.
