Nigel Farage has launched a blistering attack on Prime Minister Keir Starmer, accusing his government of implementing de facto open borders as small boat crossings across the English Channel reach unprecedented levels.
The Reform UK leader, speaking to reporters in London, declared that immigration would become the defining issue of the next general election. His comments come amid official figures revealing that migrant arrivals have surged dramatically since the Labour Party took power.
A Crisis of the Government's Own Making
Farage didn't mince words when laying blame for the escalating situation. "This isn't merely a policy failure," he stated. "It's a deliberate strategy. By dismantling the Rwanda scheme and sending out signals of leniency, Starmer's government has effectively rolled out the welcome mat for every people smuggler operating on the French coast."
He pointed to the rapid increase in crossings since the election as clear evidence that the government's approach is acting as a powerful pull factor for those seeking to enter the UK illegally.
The Rwanda Scheme: A Political Battleground
The controversial Rwanda deportation plan, a flagship policy of the previous Conservative government, has become a central point of contention. Prime Minister Starmer has followed through on his pledge to scrap the scheme, labelling it ineffective and inhumane.
However, Farage and Reform UK argue that this decision has removed a crucial deterrent. "Without a credible threat of removal," Farage argued, "the UK's borders have become meaningless. We are witnessing nothing short of an invasion, facilitated by a naive and dangerous ideology."
From the Campaign Trail to the Coastline
Farage's focus on immigration marks a strategic return to the issue that propelled him to prominence during the Brexit campaign. He has vowed to take his message across the country, promising to hold the government to account for what he describes as a catastrophic failure of governance.
With public concern over immigration consistently ranking as a top issue for voters, Farage's intervention is likely to intensify political pressure on the Labour government to detail its concrete plans to control the borders and reduce the record numbers of arrivals.
The political battle over Britain's borders is well and truly reignited, setting the stage for a fierce national debate.
