Dr Rakib Ehsan: ‘Left disappointed’ at Labour’s fight on migrant policy
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RESEARCH Fellow at the Henry Jackson Society, Dr Rakib Ersan, warned that while the Conservatives have come under fire for not being able to handle the migrant crossings in the English Channel, he did not believe Labour would fare much better. Dr Ehsan added the “open border metropolitanism” of the Labour Party means a viable alternative to the Conservatives’ migrant policies is unlikely to materialise leaving voters “bitterly disappointed” with the issue. But Dr Ersan added because of this policy vacuum, it could be likely to see a smaller party emerge with strong border policies which could hold both parties accountable.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, Dr Ersan was asked whether there exists any threat to the Conservatives if they are unable to deliver on the migrant crisis.
He explained: “If the idea is that the average British voter has a fairly conservative view on matters of border security and immigration-related management…
“Then I’m not sure that Labour will be seen as a credible alternative for that kind of voter.
“As we know in recent times, this kind of open borders metropolitanism has taken hold of the Labour Party, it’s very influential within the party structures.
“So people expecting Labour to adopt a conservative view, essentially outflanking the Conservatives in terms of developing a robust border security policy, then they’ll be left bitterly disappointed.
“I feel that if you’re looking at what are the risks of the Conservatives is perhaps the emergence of a minor party.
“Which very much focuses on the situation and suggests that the Conservative government is not really managing Brexit very well.
“Rather, it’s not managing the UK very well in the post-Brexit environment and is pretty reluctant when it comes to securing our border security.”
Migrant crisis: Farage says it's a 'total waste' of Navy resources
The UK Government has come under pressure to solve the issues in the Channel after record numbers of crossings were seen last year with 27 migrants dying in November.
The Government was rumoured to have considered using sonic weaponry to push back small boats in the Channel.
Armed Forces Minister James Heappey said the plans would not go ahead, nor would the use of navy ships in push-back tactics but they would patrol the Channel.
Mr Heappey did not rule out Border Force from using the tactics and using the weapons.
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The Government came under fire from their own Tory backbenchers with former minister Sir Edward Leigh branding it “a more efficient taxi service”.
Me Heappey explained the inclusion of the Royal Navy was part of a plan which will be presented in the next few weeks.
Chair of the Defence Select Committee, Tobias Ellwood, also criticised the move and said: “The idea that the military is to take on the migrant challenge, that’s a massive distraction given how the dangerous the world is becoming.
“This isn’t what our Navy should be doing.”
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