LONDON: More than 10,000 irregular migrants have crossed the English Channel to Britain on small boats this year, UK government data released on Saturday showed. The escalating numbers present a significant electoral challenge for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as he campaigns for re-election.
Prime Minister Sunak, leader of the Conservative Party, had previously pledged to stem the tide of Channel crossings, but his efforts appear to have fallen short as the latest figures depict a stark reality. Despite government measures, including increased patrols and security measures, 288 asylum seekers completed the perilous journey across the Channel in five boats on Friday alone, bringing the provisional total for 2024 to 10,170, according to data from the interior ministry.
The surge represents 35 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Notably, the number of undocumented migrants arriving via sea has already reached a record high for the first five months of a calendar year.
The escalating migrant crisis has become a focal point in the lead-up to the upcoming general election, scheduled for July 4, as Sunak and his Conservative Party face mounting pressure to address the issue effectively. However, Sunak faced a setback when he admitted on Thursday that his flagship scheme to forcibly deport thousands of asylum seekers to Rwanda would not commence before polling day.
The main opposition Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer, has capitalized on the government’s perceived failure to address the migrant crisis, promising to scrap Sunak’s controversial deportation plan, which they denounce as an expensive and ineffective measure. Labour has also pledged to tackle smuggling gangs profiting from the small boat crossings and has emphasized the need to control immigration levels.
A recent YouGov poll released on Saturday indicated a significant lead for Labour, with the party enjoying a 22-point advantage over the Conservatives.
