Tuesday 15 November 2022 01:08 AM DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Sticking plasters won't fix the Channel crisis trends now
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Such was the outcry when 92 migrants landed on Britain's beaches in December 2018 that the then home secretary Sajid Javid flew back from his Christmas holiday to declare an emergency.
Today, it's not unusual for ten times that number to cross the Channel in a single day.
The Government has repeatedly promised to stem the tide of small boats. But so far nothing has worked. This year alone, an astronomical 40,000 migrants have made the treacherous trip.
Suella Braverman insists she's not throwing good money after bad by bunging France another £63million to police their own borders. Pictured with the French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin
Whatever the Left says, most are clearly not genuine refugees. They are overwhelmingly young men lured by this country's generous benefits system and the prospect of work in the black economy.
Suella Braverman insists she's not throwing good money after bad by bunging France another £63million to police their own borders. But it's not immediately clear how much of a difference the Home Secretary's immigration deal will make.
Yes, it's a step forward to have more French officers patrolling the coast (observed by British officials), while extra drones, dogs and CCTV will be deployed to help disrupt the trafficking gangs.
On its own, though, it's a long way off the decisive action voters crave.
The best way to beat the evil smuggling gangs would be for every single Channel migrant to be returned to France. But President Macron refuses to agree.
