Keir Starmer has made one thing clear when it comes to national humiliation for Britain

Since taking office, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government has faced mounting criticism over its handling of the small boats crisis, with record numbers of illegal migrants crossing the English Channel. Over 5,000 migrants have landed on British shores this year alone, marking the worst start to the year since the crisis began in 2016. Critics argue that Labour’s approach has been one of “surrender” rather than action, with taxpayers footing the bill for a failing system.


The average annual cost per illegal migrant is estimated at £51,000, meaning British taxpayers are already on the hook for over £250 million this year. Despite Labour’s promises to tackle the issue, the numbers tell a damning story: the government’s policies are failing to deter crossings, and the crisis is worsening.


One of Labour’s first acts in office was to scrap the Rwanda deportation scheme, a controversial but deterrent-focused policy introduced by the Conservatives. Starmer dismissed the scheme as a “gimmick,” but critics argue that his replacement—a “Border Security Command”—has achieved little. The government’s focus on cracking down on smuggling gangs has also been criticized as insufficient without a robust deterrent in place.

“What good is arresting traffickers when thousands of migrants still successfully make the crossing each month?” one critic asked. “It’s a sticking plaster over a gaping wound—entirely predictable and entirely preventable.”


Labour has touted its cooperation with France as a key part of its strategy, but the reality on the ground suggests otherwise. French authorities have been accused of escorting migrant-laden dinghies into British waters, leaving Border Force to act as a “taxpayer-funded taxi service.” This week, a French naval ship was seen shadowing a sinking boat packed with migrants until it reached UK territory, where British authorities took over.

“This is a national humiliation,” one commentator said. “The French should be stopping these boats before they even leave their beaches. Instead, they are complicit in people smuggling, waving these vessels through while Britain bears the consequences.”


The impact of Labour’s inaction is being felt across the country. Hotels remain filled with illegal migrants at taxpayer expense, public services are stretched to breaking point, and lives continue to be lost at sea. Critics argue that the government’s approach is not compassionate but reckless, enabling more crossings by failing to enforce real deterrence.

“Every boat that makes it across encourages another,” one critic said. “Every failure to deport reinforces the message that Britain’s borders are open. Starmer’s government is not tackling the problem; they are enabling it.”


Keir Starmer and Labour have been accused of betraying the British people by refusing to take meaningful action to stop the boats. Critics argue that the government’s policies are not just ineffective but actively harmful, sending a clear message that Britain’s borders are open to illegal migration.

“Starmer hasn’t stopped the boats; he’s rolled out the red carpet,” one critic concluded. “This is not leadership—it’s surrender.”

As the crisis deepens, pressure is mounting on Starmer to deliver real solutions. Without a credible deterrent and a clear plan to address the root causes of illegal migration, the small boats crisis is likely to continue spiraling out of control, leaving British communities to bear the brunt of the government’s failure.