Labour’s ‘Farcical’ Migrant Deal Torn Apart: Numbers Soar as Britain Pays the Price

Reform UK’s Laila Cunningham has launched a blistering attack on the Labour government’s handling of Britain’s illegal migrant crisis, branding the bilateral deal with France “almost farcical” as Channel crossings continue to surge. She argues the agreement has “comprehensively failed” to reduce numbers, leaving Britain exposed and taxpayers footing the bill.

“Embarrassing” Deal Fails to Control Borders

Speaking to GB News, Laila Cunningham, Reform UK’s candidate for the 2028 London Mayoral election, slammed the migration agreement with France. She highlighted the critical imbalance: “We’ve given France a veto over who they’re allowed to take, but we don’t get a veto over who they are allowed to take back.” This one-sided arrangement, Ms Cunningham stated, is “actually quite embarrassing” for the United Kingdom, leaving Britain unable to control its own borders effectively.

Ms Cunningham pointed out the stark reality that despite the deal, illegal crossings have not decreased; instead, “the numbers are increasing.” This directly contradicts the government’s claims of taking back control, leaving ordinary British people to wonder why their taxes are being spent on a failing system.

International Treaties Over British Security

The Reform UK candidate also tackled the legal framework, specifically the 1954 Refugee Convention, which she identified as a major obstacle. As Ms Cunningham explained, “You’re an asylum seeker as soon as you land, as soon as you state the word asylum,” meaning individuals cannot be punished for their method of arrival. She revealed the high acceptance rates for asylum claims, citing “over 80 to 90 per cent” for Afghanistan, which she says explains the diminishing processing backlogs.

Ms Cunningham argued that previous and current governments have prioritised international partnerships and global treaties over the safety and welfare of British citizens. “Reform UK is the only party that’s saying we have to disallow the Refugee Convention and the ECHR,” she declared, insisting these are “not compatible with the safety of women and girls in this country or the safety of this country in general.”

• Bilateral deal with France described as “almost farcical” by Reform UK’s Laila Cunningham.
• Channel crossing numbers are “increasing,” not decreasing, despite the agreement.
• France holds a “veto” over returns, while Britain has no reciprocal power, creating an “embarrassing” imbalance.
• The 1954 Refugee Convention allows individuals to claim asylum immediately upon arrival, preventing their classification as “illegal migrants.”
• Asylum claim acceptance rates are “over 80 to 90 per cent” for some nationalities, according to Ms Cunningham.
• Reform UK advocates withdrawing from the Refugee Convention and ECHR to prioritise British security.

What This Means for Britain

The current Labour government’s approach to illegal immigration is failing, with Channel crossings continuing to rise and the UK unable to effectively deport those who arrive unlawfully. This means your taxes are being spent on a system that does not protect British borders or prioritise the safety of your communities.

The reliance on international treaties like the 1954 Refugee Convention and the ECHR means Britain cannot fully control who enters the country or who can be removed. This undermines national sovereignty and leaves the UK vulnerable to those who exploit the system.

Reform UK’s position, as articulated by Laila Cunningham, is a direct challenge to this status quo, advocating for immediate detention and deportation for illegal arrivals. This contrasts sharply with the Labour government’s current policy, which sees many failed asylum seekers remain in the country, often housed at taxpayer expense.

The ongoing failure to secure Britain’s borders and control immigration places a significant burden on public services and local communities. It means less money for your NHS, your schools, and your local police force, as resources are diverted to manage a crisis that should have been solved.

Share if you believe Britain must take back control of its borders and put British citizens first.

This article is a factual summary of reporting by GB News. Full original story available on their website. All quotes directly attributed.

Source: GB News | Breaking Brexit News