A group of French mayors, including Calais Mayor Natacha Bouchart, have expressed their frustration with the UK’s handling of the migrant crisis. They are calling for the renegotiation of a key cross-Channel migrant deal, accusing Britain of being hypocritical in its approach. The mayors argue that the current system allows the UK to claim they want to stop migrants from crossing the Channel while ultimately letting them settle in Britain.
In addition to renegotiating the Touquet treaty, the mayors are proposing the establishment of “humanitarian centres” away from the French coast. These centres would house migrants while their asylum applications are processed by both British and French authorities. The mayors believe that this would dissuade migrants from turning to people-smuggling gangs for dangerous small boat journeys.
Mayor Bouchart highlighted the issue of migrants working illegally in Britain without proper documentation, questioning why France should continue to spend millions to stop crossings when the UK does not effectively address the issue on their end. The mayors are urging the UK government to take more responsibility in stopping migrants from entering the country illegally.
On the other hand, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has defended the importance of the current cross-Channel checks and expressed his commitment to working with international partners to address the flow of migrants. He emphasized the need for checks to be carried out in France and assured that he is engaging with French authorities on the matter.
Despite the tension between the French mayors and the UK government, both sides are focused on finding a solution to the escalating migrant crisis. With over 33,000 migrants arriving in the UK via small boat channel crossings this year alone, it is evident that a coordinated effort is needed to effectively address this pressing issue. The calls for renegotiation and increased cooperation between France and the UK highlight the complexities of managing migration flows and the importance of finding sustainable solutions.