A heated debate recently unfolded on British television, highlighting profound disagreements between the Labour Party, the Conservative Party, and Reform UK regarding the illegal immigration crisis in the English Channel. The confrontation centered on the effectiveness of cooperation agreements with France, proposals for mass deportations, and the potential withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

1. Sharp Criticism from Reform UK

Representing Reform UK, Zia Yusuf issued a scathing critique of both the ruling Labour Party and the Conservatives for failing to implement tough measures to secure the borders. Yusuf pointed out that despite Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s promises to “smash the gangs,” the number of illegal arrivals via small boats has reached record levels under the current government

Reform UK called for an immediate halt to the hundreds of millions of pounds in financial aid sent to the French government, arguing that these funds have yielded no practical results as nearly 200,000 people have arrived illegally. Yusuf argued that instead of relying on negotiations with France, the UK must act unilaterally: