In the 1940s, Britain turned back the might of the Nazi war machine in the English Channel. Today, it can’t even stop thousands of Africans swarming across the channel in rubber dinghies.
But then, in the 1940s, Britain was lead by the indomitable Winston Churchill. Today, it’s lumbered with the likes of Theresa May, Rishi Sunak and now the odious Keir Starmer.
And it shows. Even Starmer’s attempts to look tough on illegal immigration are as embarrassing and ineffective as if Britain had hung a ‘Luftwaffe Welcome’ banner on the White Cliffs of Dover.
More than 100 asylum-seekers have been detained for deportation from Britain to France as Sir Keir Starmer steps up his plan to tackle the small-boats crisis after a fresh surge in crossings and mounting pressure within Labour.
And how does he plan to do this?
The Prime Minister will formally implement his “one in, one out” deal within weeks after renewed criticism from ministers and senior Labour figures, who have accused him of failing to get a grip on the issue.
This ridiculous policy will see illegals swarming across the Channel sent back to France – in exchange for ‘asylum seekers’ who haven’t tried to enter the UK illegally (yet).
Yes, really.
Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp, however, says the deal offers “no deterrent at all”, while Reform leader Nigel Farage – who spent the day on the seas near Dover – calls it a “humiliation for Brexit Britain”.
How ludicrously detached from reality do you have to be to think this is even remotely a good idea? Especially when you’re dealing with foreign invaders whose only moral compass is ‘Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!’
One Iranian man said he had decided to make the crossing after applying to come to the UK under the one in, one out scheme but receiving no response. He subsequently boarded a small boat bound for Britain from the beach in Gravelines, France.
Ali, who did not give his surname, said: “Nobody called, nobody contacted me. The first day, the day (the form) was uploaded, I applied. I don’t think they will really take people. I think it is just a government thing.”
Two other asylum-seekers in a camp near Dunkirk said they had tried to apply for the scheme but were unsuccessful so planned to cross illegally.
So, that gives you the right to invade another country?
Nigel Farage is, by contrast, presenting a study in sanity and resolve.
Under Mr Farage’s scheme all small-boat migrants would be arrested on arrival in the UK, detained then deported to countries including Afghanistan and Eritrea.
In the meantime, Churchill would have had some very stern words for La France perfide.
There is little evidence of the plans having a deterrent effect so far. On Monday morning, local time, on Gravelines beach, a popular departure point, more than 150 migrants attempted to board small boats, with more than 100 getting through.
In chaotic scenes, people were thrown overboard, pushed around and splashed by smugglers trying to corral them into the right boats, while four police officers stood by, watching but not attempting to intervene.
Those are not the actions of a friendly neighbour.
