The Labour government is facing harsh criticism over its newly proposed measures to tackle people-smuggling gangs. Tory MP Chris Philp lambasted the plans, calling them “weak” and claiming they will do little to deter illegal immigration or disrupt organized crime.
Speaking to Gbnews , Philp pointed to Labour’s decision to scrap the controversial Rwanda scheme before it even began as a critical mistake. “If an immigrant knows they’ll be sent straight to Rwanda, they’re not going to risk crossing the Channel. Labour canceled it before the first flight even took off, and illegal crossings are up 29% since the election.”
The Labour government’s latest announcement includes restricting suspected gang members’ access to social media and phones. Critics, however, are skeptical. “Taking a smuggler’s phone isn’t going to stop them,” Philp argued. “These are superficial measures that won’t make a dent in illegal immigration.”
Philp emphasized that Labour’s actions, including voting against life sentences for smugglers when in opposition, have emboldened the criminal networks. “We’re dealing with a party that’s soft on crime and immigration. The results speak for themselves.”
The Rwanda deportation plan, a flagship policy of the previous Conservative government, was canceled by Labour earlier this year. Philp defended the policy, citing its success in Australia a decade ago. “Australia’s Nauru island scheme worked. Illegal crossings dropped to zero because the deterrent was clear. Labour’s refusal to implement Rwanda is a failure of leadership,” he said.
Critics of the scheme argue it was legally unworkable and prohibitively expensive. Labour has countered that the flights never began and wouldn’t have solved the problem.
Philp highlighted soaring migration figures, calling them a result of Labour’s “lax approach.” “Net migration hit 900,000 last year under Labour’s watch,” he said. Labour has promised reforms, including a hard cap on migration, but Philp questioned their commitment. “We need credible plans, not empty promises.”
The discussion took a darker turn with questions about recent terrorist attacks in the United States, including a deadly ISIS-linked incident in New Orleans. Philp acknowledged the heightened risks and urged vigilance.
“Our security services have disrupted numerous plots, but we all need to stay alert. Radicalization often starts at the community level, and the public must report any signs of it immediately,” he said.
With Labour’s new measures under scrutiny and immigration still a hot-button issue, the government faces mounting pressure to deliver tangible results. “Labour needs to show they can lead,” Philp concluded. “Right now, their policies look like nothing more than words on paper.”
