The prime minister, in the Home Office, flanked by Union Jacks, talking tough on immigration: This is the Keir Starmer his top team wants you to see.
“Good news,” he says, praising the work of the National Crime Agency after the arrest of a suspected small boat smuggler in Amsterdam.
Chancellor making major speech tonight – politics latest
This was an unusual appearance from the PM.
The fact he chose to make the statement himself, rather than the home secretary, and address journalists and people at home directly, is interesting.
Number 10 wants to seize on some good news, to attract attention, and show its plan to “smash the gangs” is working.
One arrest is something, but it’s not the groundbreaking news that will stop Channel crossings.
In the next few days, the number of small boat crossings since Labour came to power in July is expected to top 20,000.
When one gang is “smashed”, another crops up. Smugglers are adapting, and I understand many small boats are now being launched from wider, more dangerous, stretches of the Channel.
PM’s two new priorities
The government plan is a long-term one, and it has not shifted the dial yet.
Behind the scenes, Labour MPs with an interest in immigration have been pushing Downing Street to claim more “wins” on immigration. It looks like that is what we are seeing today.
The prime minister has just revealed two new priorities: boosting the economy and protecting our borders.
It’s a notable shift from the PM’s “five missions”, which didn’t include a pledge on immigration, that were talked up so much before the election.
Perhaps Number 10 have heeded a warning from the US, after the Democrats lost out over – in large part – messaging on the economy and immigration.
Read more on Trump’s victory:
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With net migration statistics coming out in the UK in a couple of weeks, attention will once again be focused on immigration.
The government may not be tied to a pledge to “stop the boats” in the same way the Conservatives were, but many voters will want to see tangible progress in the coming years on illegal migration beyond one arrest.
