During Talk Tv News’ Head-to-Head segment on December 28, the conversation centered on the ongoing small boats crisis and the broader challenges of immigration in the UK. Hosted by Simon Jukes and Ree Ibrahim, the discussion delved into the political missteps, economic strain, and public frustration surrounding the issue.
More than 450 migrants crossed the English Channel in small boats on Christmas Day, bringing the total number of illegal migrants to over 150,000 since the crisis began. Labor’s promise to “smash the gangs” was heavily criticized. Jukes remarked, “Labor says they’ll smash the gangs, but what does that even mean? They’ve removed the Rwanda deterrent, and now no one knows what their plan is, least of all them.”
The influx of migrants has placed immense pressure on infrastructure. Jukes commented, “Where are the doctor’s surgeries, the schools? The system is creaking. It’s a fool’s errand to keep letting people in without thinking about the long-term impact.” Ibrahim added, “Targeted immigration can benefit the economy, but we’ve allowed incentives for people to come here without contributing. It’s unsustainable.”
The controversial Rwanda policy, intended to deter illegal crossings, was also discussed. Jukes, a supporter of the plan, said, “It was beginning to work. Illegal migrants started going to Ireland instead, proving the deterrent effect. But Labor scrapped it out of political spite.” Ibrahim disagreed, calling it “a horrendous waste of money,” but acknowledged its deterrent impact. Both agreed, however, that no clear alternative has been proposed.
Ibrahim emphasized the need for stricter measures: “If you come here illegally, you’re gone. I don’t care if you’re claiming asylum—if you’ve left France, you’ve left a safe country.” He also advocated for a more liberal immigration system for skilled individuals, stating, “We should be welcoming people who can contribute and speak English, not low-skilled workers.”
The conversation shifted to the government’s handling of public spending, including the proliferation of quangos. Ibrahim criticized the inefficiency: “We’re wasting public money on layers of bureaucracy that achieve nothing—no productivity, no GDP growth, no improvement in living standards.” Jukes called for accountability, adding, “Labor’s decentralization plan is just a way to dodge responsibility. They want to blame local mayors for national problems.”
The panel also highlighted concerns about the economy under Labor’s leadership. Jukes stated, “We’ve seen zero growth, higher National Insurance, and stagnation. Things can only get worse from here.” Ibrahim agreed, noting, “They could reverse these disastrous policies, but they won’t. They’re doubling down instead of admitting their mistakes.”
The Head-to-Head segment painted a grim picture of immigration and economic policies under both Labor and Conservative governments. As the small boats crisis continues and public services buckle under pressure, the panelists agreed that without clear and decisive action, the situation is unlikely to improve.
“Labor promised to stop the small boats and cut spending on illegal migrants in hotels. Instead, they’ve increased the budget and scrapped the only deterrent we had. It’s an absolute disgrace.” – Simon Jukes
Asylum seekers in Derby who need support. There are already millions of people born in the UK, whose families come from the UK who also need support, but there is no support left. Everything has been given to foreigners first, whilst our taxes pay. You all wanted to come here, now suck it up people, this country is done.