POLL OF THE DAY: ‘Can Keir Starmer’s Government really smash the gangs?’ VOTE NOW
Keir Starmer with insets of recent Channel crossings
PA
Just hours after GB News exclusively revealed that Channel crossings have already exceeded 2023's overall total, the People's Channel asks its members whether they think Sir Keir Starmer's Government can really smash the gangs.
The Prime Minister pledged to "smash the gangs" ahead of the 2024 General Election, later opting to bin the Tories' Rwanda scheme which many considered a deterrent to migrants making the perilous 21-mile journey across the Channel.
However, the number of Channel migrants arriving in the UK this year exceeded 29,000 yesterday.
The total figure for 2023 stood at 29,437, with estimates now pointing to 35,000 embarking on the journey before the end of the year.
However, a staggering 40,000 could cross the Channel if weather conditions remain calm going into the winter.
Yesterday's grim milestone figure was reached this afternoon when the Border Force vessel Defender arrived at Dover harbour with 55 migrants onboard.
Responding to the milestone, a Home Office spokesman told GB News: “We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security.
“The people-smuggling gangs do not care if the vulnerable people they exploit live or die, as long as they pay. We will stop at nothing to dismantle their business models and bring them to justice.”
A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dungeness, KentPAHowever, Labour is well aware that it needs to do more to curb Channel crossings or risk facing fury from voters who agree with Nigel Farage about the migrant crisis.
Starmer's right-hand man Morgan McSweeney this week briefed Labour MPs about the threat posed by Reform UK.
McSweeney, who emerged victorious in his power struggle with Sue Gray, reportedly told newly elected Labour MPs that they needed to address the issue of immigration or risk defeat in 2029.
Responding to the briefing, Farage said: "Labour are right to be worried about Reform.
Sir Keir StarmerPA“We came second to Labour in 89 seats at the general election, and will be targeting their record at the 2025 local elections and beyond.
“Make no mistake, Reform is coming for Keir Starmer’s Labour.”
Farage yesterday blasted Starmer and his predecessor Rishi Sunak over the Channel crossing crisis.
Taking to social media, the Reform UK leader simply said: "There are still 10 weeks to go this year. Well done Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer."
Do you think Sir Keir Starmer's Government can really smash the gangs? Have your say by leaving a message in the comments section below.
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