Why the Channel’s Turning Into a Fish‑Free Zone (And What’s Really Going on)
Sir Keir Starmer is being told to shuffle the EU fishing licenses until France stops “migrants” hopping onto the English Channel. The call is coming from Chris Philp, the shadow Home Secretary, and it’s a straight‑up “stop the madness” plea.
Philp’s Bold Address to the Commons
On Monday, Philp hard‑hit Starmer with a “sell‑out” warning:
- France has received hundreds of millions of pounds from UK taxpayers to curb illegal crossings but still lets migrants swim straight into the Channel.
- “They’re not even using their new maritime powers like the Belgians do,” Philp scoffed, stressing the urge for France to act before the Brexit lobbyists get bored.
What GB News Says — And Why It Matters
GB News security editor Mark White reported an eye‑watering surge: 1,194 migrants landed on 18 boats at Dover on Saturday alone. That’s a lot of belly‑fettish foot traffic for a Jan‑Janu‑Janu‑us situation.
White described the scene:
- “We’re rarely this busy; only in the swelter of August or September would we huddle close to a thousand.”
- Visuals from a coastal locale between Dunkirk and Calais showed far‑out migrants walking out onto “taxi boats.”
- Police were standing by but doing “absolutely nothing,” which fueled “infuriating Government ministers.”
Why the French Law Is Mising the Mark
France enacted new legislation giving maritime rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) the authority to push incoming boats back into shallow waters. Yet those RIBs and the law’s provisions remain unused. White warned: “Brits are going to press France hard to enforce it, but without a follow‑up plan, the migrants will simply come again.”
Potential Chaos
Should the French RIBs start pushing boats onto the beach, expect:
- “Real anger and disorder” as migrants resist.
- Policing mishaps where staff get beat up.
- More boats on the Channel, stretching Border Force thin.
Labour’s “Lost Control” Claim
Philp rounded off his angry monologue by noting that Labour’s “border control” promise has fallen apart. He highlighted the disappearance of the Rwanda deterrent strategy and called the situation “a day of shame” for the party.
Home Office’s One‑Size‑Fits‑All Draft
In response, the Home Office repeated the standard mantra:
“We’re all about shutting down dangerous small‑boat crossings and crippling smuggling gangs.” They pledged:
- International intelligence sharing via Border Security Command.
- Enhanced enforcement in Northern France.
- Tougher legislation under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill.
Bottom Line
For now, the Channel is a cross‑country hotspot: UK parliamentmates are calling for action, newspapers are highlighting raw numbers, and the big player—London—reminds everyone that the real work is happening far from the Big Ben. If France finally uses its new RIB doctrine, we might see the Channel become a little less “fishing” and a lot more unloading.
