Article:
Labour leader Keir Starmer has promised to divert £75 million to fund hundreds of new specialist officers to combat people smuggling using counter-terror powers. This announcement comes as he vows to rip up the government’s controversial Rwanda scheme, which is estimated to cost £541 million over five years. The funds will instead be allocated to creating a new border security command of specialist enforcement officers and investigators.
In a speech in Dover, Starmer criticized the government’s Rwanda scheme, calling it “an insult to anyone’s intelligence,” while emphasizing that the criminal gangs involved in people smuggling cannot be easily fooled. This move comes in the wake of Natalie Elphicke’s defection to Labour, after she criticized the Tory government’s failures on border security, making Dover an apt location for Starmer’s announcement.
Furthermore, the Labour leader is set to collaborate with former assistant Met commissioner to implement new powers to tackle the small boats crisis. He plans to treat people smugglers as terrorists by using counter-terror laws and hopes to strengthen cooperation with European counterparts to combat this pressing issue.
Starmer’s proposal not only aims to address the immediate crisis of people smuggling and small boat crossings but also reflects a wider ambition to restructure border security measures. By scrapping the Rwanda scheme and redirecting its funds, he seeks to establish a robust border security command, equipped with the necessary resources and authority to tackle people smuggling effectively.
The use of counter-terror laws in this context underscores the seriousness of the issue and the urgency to combat organized crime in the realm of immigration. Starmer asserts that greater European cooperation is essential to effectively combat people smuggling, countering claims by the Conservatives that Labour lacks a comprehensive plan to address this challenge. This move positions Labour as proactive and strategic in its approach to border security, reflecting a commitment to prioritize national security and the integrity of immigration systems.
Overall, Starmer’s pledge to divert £75 million towards combating people smuggling and the use of counter-terror powers represents a significant shift in Labour’s approach to border security. With a focus on enhancing specialist enforcement capabilities, building stronger European partnerships, and treating people smugglers as security threats, this proposal underscores a commitment to robust and proactive measures to address the pressing issue of illegal immigration and people smuggling.
