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Natalie Elphicke: Starmer plans to rip up Rwanda scheme as more Tory MPs ‘ponder defecting’ to Labour – live
‘Failed’ asylum system offers ‘false hope’ to migrants, Starmer says
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Keir Starmer has unveiled a counter-terror style small boats plan that will “replace gimmicks with graft” by scrapping the Rwanda scheme.
He has vowed to partly fund a new “elite” border unit as he set out his plans to stop small boats crossing the Channel.
In a speech at Dover, the Labour leader has set out plans to use new counter-terrorism powers to tackle people-smuggling gangs and accuse the Conservatives of operating a “Travelodge amnesty” by housing asylum-seekers in hotels rather than processing their claims.
He was accompanied by new Labour MP Natalie Elphicke, who has slammed the Tories approach on boats just days after defecting from the party.
Speaking about her admission, he said the move represents the “mood of the country” as Rishi Sunak is “clinging on by his fingernails” to power.
It comes after shadow health secretary Wes Streeting claimed more Tory MPs were considering defecting to Labour because of “division and incompetence” in Rishi Sunak’s government, claiming to have spoken to others “who are wrestling with their future”.
Key Points
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In context: Starmer says Rwanda scheme costs taxpayers billions
Let’s take a look at the numbers:
The government initially committed £290 million to the troubled scheme. According to the National Audit Office (NAO), there will be millions more in spending, including £11,000 for each migrant’s plane ticket. While Rwanda will get £20,000 for each asylum seeker relocated there and a £120 million top-up once 300 have arrived.
Salma Ouaguira10 May 2024 11:46
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Read James Cleverly’s statement in full
In a statement, Mr Cleverly says: “Labour have no plan to stop the boats.
“Labour have an illegal immigration amnesty, Labour blocked of the deportation of violent sexual offenders and Labour voted over 130 times against tougher legislation to stop the boats.
“They will create a haven for criminal gangs, not stop them. Even Labour MPs are saying Labour can’t be trusted to stop the boats which shows you nothing will change.
“If people can apply for asylum from outside the UK then unlimited claims can be made, many of which will have to be accepted under the law and even then, many of those declined will then get on a small boat anyway.
“Labour’s announcement would make the UK the asylum capital of the world.”
Home Secretary James Cleverly standing in front of a discarded migrant boat in Lampedusa Port during his trip to Lampedusa, Italy, in April, 2024. (Victoria Jones/PA Wire)
Salma Ouaguira10 May 2024 11:34
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‘Labour will make UK’s asylum capital of the world,’ Home Secretary says
Sir Keir Starmer has hit hard on the Conservative’s Rwanda scheme dubbing it “an insult to intelligence”.
But just minutes after his speech, where he set out his small boat crossings plan, the Tories have clapped back.
Home Secretary James Cleverly says Labour’s system “would make the UK the asylum capital of the world.”
Salma Ouaguira10 May 2024 11:32
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Watch: Sir Keir Starmer’s small boat crossings speech in full
Labour will use new counter-terrorism powers to tackle people-smuggling gangs bringing migrants across the Channel, Sir Keir announced.
Labour would tackle smuggling gangs using counter-terror policing, Starmer says
Salma Ouaguira10 May 2024 11:26
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In full: Rwanda policy is not a deterrent to illegal immigration, Starmer says
Sir Keir Starmer said the Rwanda policy is not a deterrent to illegal immigration.
But processing claims and sending people back to their countries of origin is.
He said: “Stopping the gangs getting people in boats is the most effective deterrent because you can’t actually make the crossing to get here.
“The biggest deterrent is that it’s a pointless exercise and you go back where you started.”
Sir Keir said he would get rid of the Rwanda policy immediately and that some aspects of scrapping it require legislation and some do not.
There will be a “fast timetable to get this off the ground,” he said.
Salma Ouaguira10 May 2024 11:24
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In full: Starmer says Elphicke’s defection represents mood of the country
During his speech in Dover, Sir Keir Starmer was asked whether he was concerned about the backlash from within the Labour Party.
He responded: “This is a very important and significant crossing of floor for reasons Natalie set out.
“I think anyone reading the words she set out this morning would be persuaded this is a very significant thing, you’ve got a Tory party that is losing votes, losing MPs, losing councillors, losing mayors across the country.
“It’s a Conservative Party that is on its last legs, it’s out of road, out of ideas, and that is why I genuinely think the mood of the country and Natalie has picked up on this, is for change and a general election.
No one can understand why Rishi Sunak is “clinging on by his fingernails” to power, he said.
Britain’s opposition Labour Party leader Keir Starmer speaking in Dover today (REUTERS)
Salma Ouaguira10 May 2024 11:13
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Sir Keir Starmer’s speech on small boats has ended
If you’ve just joined us now here’s a quick summary of what happened:
Sir Keir Starmer said he does not doubt the Government will get flights running to Rwanda but said the flagship deportation policy would not work as he insisted “our asylum system must be rebuilt”.He aid Labour will end the Rwanda policy permanently and establish a border security command that will be an “elite force, not a Cinderella service”.The Labour leader added turning a blind eye to people smuggling was “not a progressive or compassionate position” as he outlined his plans to tackle small boat crossings.
Salma Ouaguira10 May 2024 11:06
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On returning to countries of origin
Starmer says: “It is perfectly possible possible to return people to the country of origin rather than the EU.”
But he clarifies Labour will not be returning to the European Union.
Salma Ouaguira10 May 2024 10:51
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Deal with the Taliban?
A reporter from the Exrpress asks about whether Keir Starmer will be working with the Taliban.
Poeple who came from Afghanistan are escaping from the Taliban to “find safety”, Starmer responds.
He adds:“But we shouldn’t overestimate the difficulty here.”
Salma Ouaguira10 May 2024 10:50
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Watch: Government’s ‘failed’ asylum system offers false hope to migrants, says Starmer
Sir Keir Starmer said the UK’s failed asylum system has turned refugee camps into a “job-centre for modern slavery” as he outlined Labour’s plan to stop small boat crossings on Friday 10 May.
The Labour leader delivered a speech on the Kent coast in which he attacked the government’s current approach as “rank incompetence” and dismissed the Rwanda scheme.
Sir Keir also recalled a visit to a refugee camp on the outskirts of Calais in 2016 and described the situation as a “monumental failure”.
“People had been brutally let down,” he said.
“Not just in terms of the truly awful conditions but also because the failure of our asylum system had encouraged a false hope.”
‘Failed’ asylum system offers ‘false hope’ to migrants, Starmer says
Salma Ouaguira10 May 2024 10:46
Read the full story on www.independent.co.uk
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