France is under pressure to take stronger action to stop the dangerous crossings of small boats in the English Channel. Critics say France isn’t doing enough to prevent these risky journeys, which have become a major issue for the UK.
Tony Abbott, a former Australian prime minister known for his tough stance on illegal immigration, has warned that France isn’t “serious” about stopping the boats. He believes that if France truly wanted to, they could prevent the crossings. Abbott, who successfully reduced illegal boat arrivals in Australia, suggests that the UK should consider turning boats back in the Channel to stop people smugglers.
Abbott said, “The French won’t like it, but if they were serious, there would be no boats crossing the English Channel. They could stop it if they wanted to, but they’re not doing it.”
When Abbott was in power, he launched Operation Sovereign Borders, which put the military in charge of stopping illegal boat arrivals. Under this policy, boats were either towed back to Indonesia or asylum seekers were sent back in lifeboats or dinghies. This approach drastically reduced illegal crossings to Australia.
Chris Philp, the UK’s Shadow Home Secretary, has also called on France to take stronger action. He pointed out that Australia and Belgium have successfully stopped illegal boat crossings by intercepting and returning boats. Philp believes France could do the same.
He said, “If the French stopped boats in their waters and returned them to France, the crossings would stop completely. This would save lives at sea and dismantle the criminal gangs operating around Calais. It’s in France’s interest to do this.”
The Australian government’s official policy states that anyone attempting to reach the country illegally by boat will be turned back, sent home, or transferred to a third country for processing. Since 2013, Australia claims to have intercepted every illegal boat, effectively ending illegal migration by sea.
In 2022, the UK government dropped plans to intercept and return boats to France after facing criticism. The PCS trade union called the decision a “humiliating climbdown.”
Tim Naor Hilton, CEO of Refugee Action, warned against adopting Australia’s tough tactics. He said, “Pushbacks are dangerous and illegal. Last year, 69 people died trying to cross the Channel. Instead of pushing people back, we need to create more safe and legal routes for asylum seekers to reach the UK.”
Reform UK MP Lee Anderson has taken a hardline stance, saying, “We must demand that France and other countries stop encouraging migration to the UK. The situation is out of control. We should find these boats in the Channel, put the people on ships, and send them home.”
However, a UK government source rejected Tony Abbott’s suggestions, saying, “We won’t be lectured by a former Australian prime minister who doesn’t understand the complexities of this issue. His approach didn’t solve the problem and ignored international laws protecting lives at sea.”
The small boat crisis in the Channel has become a heated political issue, with debates over how to balance border security with humanitarian concerns. While some argue for tougher measures to stop the crossings, others emphasize the need for safer, legal routes for asylum seekers to prevent further loss of life.
As the UK and France continue to grapple with this challenge, the calls for action—and the debate over the best approach—are unlikely to go away anytime soon.
