There comes a time where everyone must put party allegiances behind them. National integrity and national interests must override party allegiances. This latest Conservative policy is the most sickening and disgraceful of them all. I said on this forum before that we were in the foothills of fascism. Now it appears that we are rapidly ascending towards the peaks.The policy is so sickening as to be unbelievable. On that basis, it would be comforting to think that this is nothing more than yet another “dead cat” strategy. I read that there are threats of resignations in the Home Office if the policy is implemented (not least, because the policy is almost certainly illegal), but that Patel has exercised a “Ministerial Direction” (for only the second time in 30 years) to force through the policy. But things we thought could never happen (such as a Prime Minister actively and repeatedly lying to Parliament, but remaining in office) are happening before our eyes.And the reasons being given for the policy are obviously nonsense – to “deter people traffickers” – in a gossamer thin effort to try to give some ethical justification to the policy. This policy is obviously not designed to reduce people trafficking, and It will do nothing of the kind – and more likely precisely the opposite. How does punishing victims of crime deter the criminals? This is perverse. And is there any reason to believe that the evils of people trafficking and exploitation (of all kinds) will be any less in Rwanda? Experience strongly indicates otherwise.And before we hear the retort “so what would you do”? The answer is simple (and something we have already done, albeit half-heartedly and cack-handedly with regard to Ukrainian refugees): Create legal routes to claim asylum. Set up a processing office in Calais (and possibly elsewhere). Process the applications quickly. Admit those who are entitled to asylum. This would substantially reduce the market in people trafficking, probably to the point where it is no longer viable. How much would this cost? Probably substantially less than the £120m (just for starters) for the Patel plan. But more importantly, it is the right and ethical thing to do. UK is 14th in Europe for asylum applications. 72% of UK asylum applications are granted. Which means that more than two out of three people entering the UK do so on good grounds, and are ultimately allowed to stay. Are we really going to send those people who are entitled to asylum in the UK to start a “new life” in Rwanda?People (of every political allegence and none) really do have to nail their colours to the mast on this one.
T P Howell ● 1620d