I’m hoping soon to see the end of the long running saga taking place in Westminster around the Government’s plan to end illegal immigration. Namely by processing claims in a third country; the Rwanda Plan.
Those who are trying to thwart this plan not only fail to convince residents in Burnley and Padiham that allowing thousands every year to ignore UK law and enter our country illegally is a good idea. But they have also failed to present an alternative plan in any serious form.
Labour have spoken about ‘working with partners.’ But what that really means is the possibility of joining an EU scheme which only last week agreed to ‘share the burden’ of settling illegal migrants throughout Europe. This would see the issue magnified tenfold, with those entering Italian and Greek islands shipped to the UK to ‘play our part’. The point almost always forgotten is that the UK already does play its part. Our generosity with Ukraine, Hong Kong and Afghanistan cannot easily be dismissed.
Rather, I have come to the conclusion that those in opposition only seek to wear down our resolve to fix this problem. They seek to portray the scheme as unworkable or too expensive, ignoring the direct and indirect cost of illegal migration. And ignoring that the only way to stop illegal entry, is to deter it. And a deterrent is exactly what the Rwanda scheme provides.
It will come as no surprise to those who have been following my contribution on this issue to see me support the plan once more. In the House of Commons Conservative MPs have once again voted to overturn wrecking amendments tabled by unelected Lords, drafted, and supported, by Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party. And sadly, once again, the local Labour Party through Lord Wajid Khan of Burnley, was amongst those standing in the way.
I know that the majority want action. That’s exactly why next week I’ll vote as I have every time on this legislation – for a deterrent, and for the Rwanda scheme.
To those still not convinced, I ask this. What is the plan if not Rwanda? What happens to those who enter the UK illegally but say they can’t be returned to their home country? Do we say stay, and accept a situation whereby following or flouting the rules is treated the same?
I know and share the frustration of those who just want this sorted. And I’m going to keep playing my part to do so.
