The very idea that the government is brainstorming proposals to deport failed asylum seekers to third countries, with its echoes of the controversial Rwanda plan, will send alarm bells clanging for many Labour MPs.
Sir Keir Starmer described the Rwanda scheme as a “gimmick” that didn’t work – an argument which was a central plank of the party’s general election campaign, a clear dividing line with Rishi Sunak’s Tories.
The Rwanda plan was mired in legal objections from the start, and even once the government controversially legislated their way around judicial rulings, only four volunteers were ever sent.
The prime minister scrapped it on his first day in office.
The idea of setting up a centre to deal with people whose asylum claims have been conclusively rejected is completely different from the Tory policy to deport anyone who arrived in the country illegally to a new life in Africa – regardless of whether they had genuine asylum cases.
The Supreme Court ruled that Rwanda was “unsafe”.
By contrast, The Times newspaper, which first reported this story, suggests Labour are potentially targeting one of the Balkan countries. And they’re not alone, with other European governments reportedly looking at plans of their own.
But previously the very concept of overseas deportation centres would have been anathema to many in Labour.
The Tories smell blood, with shadow home secretary Chris Philp claiming they’re admitting cancelling the Rwanda scheme was “a catastrophic mistake”.
There is a whiff of hypocrisy to the idea – of Labour once again aping Tory approaches they disavowed in opposition.
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The prime minister previously argued his policy of “smashing the gangs” – with additional counter-terror style powers for police and border force – would be enough of a deterrent to stop the small boats.
The legislation introducing those is still going through parliament. But all the while the number of people coming ashore in Kent is only increasing – and his government is under real pressure to take action.
This story signals they’re willing to consider all options to do so.
Promising to learn from Italy’s right-wing leader Giorgia Meloni, with her policy to send migrants to Albania, sends a targeted message to voters concerned about migration – even as it alienates the party’s more liberal supporters.
That plan is also held up in the courts; but the uncompromising message is clear.
