Where do the UK and France stand after the Channel crossings row?
- Sophie Smyth
- Dec 3, 2021
- 3 min read
The refugee Channel crossings which have been taking place have long been a contentious issue in British politics, with firm views on each side of the debate. At the end of November, 27 people lost their lives while crossing the Channel to seek refuge in the UK. This article covers the political repercussions of the tragedy and how relations between the UK and other countries have fared.
The Initial Response
Following the tragedy, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson wrote to the President of France Emmanuel Macron. Johnson formally requested that joint patrols be established with UK and French personnel to address migration from France to the UK. Other measures were suggested, including air surveillance and intelligence sharing, with the aim of reaching a consensus with France over these Channel crossings. The letter’s main suggestion was that France should take on more responsibility to prevent Channel crossings, with the UK ready to lend support and resources.
This letter was shared on Twitter by Johnson but did not receive the response that he would have been expecting. Johnson’s use of Twitter diplomacy did not impress the French, with President Macron publicly expressing his disappointment and frustration stating ‘We do not communicate from one leader to another on these issues by tweets and letters that we make public’. Critics accused Johnson of using the letter to stoke public support amongst voters rather than seriously communicate with Macron.
Subsequently, Home Secretary Priti Patel was uninvited to a meeting with some of her European counterparts to discuss the situation, as the letter contradicted the spirit of earlier communication between the UK and France and was unprofessionally published on Twitter.
Has any progress been made on the issue?
The French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin believes ‘Great Britain needs to open up a legal immigration route’ in order to prevent some of the dangerous Channel crossings which have been taking place. He has also stated his desire to have serious, constructive talks with the UK about the situation in the Channel and on the borders.
Patel also appears to be open to cooperation, as she has stated that there could potentially be more tragedies in the Channel if the UK and France do not reach an agreement and work together on the issue.
As a result of the meeting to which Patel was uninvited, officials have agreed that an EU plane, supplied and operated by the EU’s Frontex border management agency, will be surveilling the Channel coast on the European side. The plane will be searching for evidence of human trafficking groups attempting to ferry refugees across the Channel. This measure intends to identify and reduce the numbers of small boats making the Channel journey, and time will tell if this will be effective.
The Nationality and Borders Bill
Priti Patel is sponsoring the government bill which is making its way through Parliament, currently waiting on the report stage, following the committee stage. This bill addresses migrants and human trafficking (amongst other issues) which have been particularly relevant issues regarding the Channel crossings.
The progression of this bill, including amendments which may follow in the House of Lords, will be influential to the UK’s response to the Channel crossings. The government’s aim with the bill is to reduce the number of asylum seekers coming to the UK by requiring them to have authorisation before making the journey. Whether this will be amended by Parliament, and effective in practice, remains to be seen.
In Conclusion
The next few days and weeks will inevitably see more talks and discussions between the UK and France in relation to the crisis. The aim of the UK is to reduce the number of refugees making their way into the UK via the Channel, however cooperation and, crucially, compromise will be necessary with French and European officials on the issue.