Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has hit fresh migration trouble. Plans to unveil a Rwanda-style deportation deal at tomorrow’s high-profile summit with Balkan leaders have collapsed. Government insiders admit talks are “in early stages” and “need a lot of work,” dashing hopes of a quick signing ceremony.
Migrant Crossings Surge Amid Failed Deals
Small boat crossings continue to soar, with over 36,700 migrants reaching UK shores this year — just 82 short of last year’s entire total. Meanwhile, negotiations with Kosovo, Serbia, Bosnia, and North Macedonia remain stuck. Albania has already ruled out hosting deportation centres, leaving Labour without a workable alternative to the scrapped Rwanda scheme.
Labour’s touted “one-in, one-out” return deal with France has also barely moved the needle — just 42 migrants sent back so far. This paltry figure highlights the failings of Labour’s migration strategy that critics say is all talk and no action.
Shadow Home Secretary Slams Labour’s ‘Catastrophic Mistake’
“Labour made a catastrophic mistake cancelling the Rwanda returns deterrent before it started with no replacement. Their attempts to do a Kosovo returns deal now seem doomed to fail,” said Tory Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp.
Philp’s words underline Labour’s gamble in ditching a functioning (if controversial) deterrent without having anything solid in its place.
Labour Vows to ‘Do Whatever It Takes’ Amid Rising Pressure
A Labour spokesperson insisted: “Our historic deal with the French means those who arrive on small boats are now being sent back. We will scale up these removals to France. And we will do whatever it takes to secure our borders.”
