Labour’s commitment to tackling illegal migration has been called into question by the Conservatives, who claim that the government’s plan to “smash the gangs” is failing.
During a heated exchange in the House of Commons, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp highlighted that Channel crossings have risen by 31% since the election, while SNP MP Pete Wishart clashed with Tory MPs over the government’s immigration policies, accusing them of imposing a “blanket ban” on British citizenship for asylum seekers.
Channel crossings at record high
The debate took place as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hosted a summit involving 40 countries to address illegal migration, amid reports that the start of 2025 has seen the highest number of small-boat crossings for the first three months of any year on record.
Despite these figures, Sir Keir insisted that his collaborative approach to migration was starting to show results. However, Mr Philp argued otherwise, criticising the government’s failure to curb crossings and dismantle criminal gangs responsible for smuggling migrants.
“Many seeking asylum, including those from Syria, enter the UK by illegally crossing the Channel. This is completely unnecessary because France is a safe country with a well-functioning asylum system.”
“Will the minister now accept that the Government’s plan to ‘smash the gangs’ lies in tatters? Crossings are up by 31% since the election, they’re about to break 300,000, and the first three months of this year have been the worst on record.”
He further criticised Labour’s decision to scrap the Rwanda asylum policy, asking:
“Does she now accept it was a catastrophic mistake to cancel the Rwanda deterrent before it even started?”
Labour hits back at tory failures
In response, Home Office Minister Dame Angela Eagle dismissed the Conservatives’ attacks, pointing out their own lack of progress in stopping illegal migration.
She noted that from the time the Rwanda deal was signed to the day it was scrapped, the Tory government had failed to deter a single boat or deport a single person, despite spending £700 million on the policy.
“They spent £700 million and sent four people—four failed asylum seekers—to start a new life in Kigali with free housing, free private healthcare, free university education, at a cost of £150,000 each.”
“If (Mr Philp) really thinks that paying £150,000 per removed asylum seeker was an adequate answer to the challenges of small boat crossings, then I don’t know what planet he lives on.”
SNP MP tells tories to ‘shut up’ over citizenship debate
The fiery exchanges continued as SNP deputy Westminster leader Pete Wishart took aim at government policies on citizenship, arguing that the blanket ban on British citizenship for irregular migrants was an egregious breach of human rights.
As Tory MPs heckled his speech, Mr Wishart fired back:
“There are no safe routes to get to the UK.”
He then criticised the government’s new citizenship rules, which block asylum seekers and refugees from obtaining British nationality, regardless of how long they have lived in the UK.
“One of the most shocking and egregious things this Government has done is to impose a blanket ban on British citizenship for all individuals who have entered the UK irregularly, without any parliamentary scrutiny or public consultation.”
“The Refugee Council estimates that up to 71,000 refugees who have already been granted asylum could now be blocked from securing naturalisation.”
He further accused the government of violating international law, arguing that its policies contradict Article 31 of the 1951 Refugee Convention, which prohibits penalising asylum seekers based on their mode of entry.
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Government defends case-by-case approach
In response, Home Office Minister Seema Malhotra insisted that the new rules do not amount to an outright ban, saying each citizenship application would be considered on a case-by-case basis.
“(Mr Wishart) will know that with the changes we made, we also explained that each citizenship application will continue to be considered on a case-by-case basis.”
“The Secretary of State may choose to apply discretion to grant citizenship in exceptional circumstances, such as modern slavery.”
A political flashpoint on immigration
The heated Commons session highlights deep divisions over immigration, with Tory MPs attacking Labour’s handling of Channel crossings, while SNP MPs challenge the government’s treatment of asylum seekers.
As small-boat crossings continue at record levels, both parties face mounting pressure to offer clear solutions—but with Labour defending its diplomatic approach and the Tories blaming policy reversals, the battle over immigration shows no signs of cooling.
