The below content first appeared in Politics.co.uk’s Politics@Lunch newsletter, sign-up for free and never miss our daily briefing.
“This Labour government is resetting the UK’s whole approach” to the people smuggling challenge, Keir Starmer told the Interpol general assembly this morning.
“No more gimmicks, no more gesture politics, no more irresponsible, undeliverable promises that almost by design seek conflict with other countries”, he insisted.
“We’ve turned the page on all of that, because such promises are not worth the paper they’re written on. All they do is waste taxpayer money. Instead, we are approaching this issue with humanity and with profound respect for international law.”
Starmer added: “We will never withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights; indeed, we’re proud of the role the UK played in creating that Convention.”
The comments came as the prime minister outlined new funding for Interpol, the National Crime Agency and Labour’s new Border Security Command to tackle people smuggling. Addressing the Interpol general assembly, the PM described people smuggling as a “vile trade” that needs to be “stamped out”.
Starmer’s stress on the need for international cooperation to tackle Channel crossings underlines a divide between this government and its Conservative predecessor, which frequently mused about leaving the ECHR to enable a more hardline approach.
Indeed, this was the approach Robert Jenrick, the former immigration minister, advocated during the Conservative leadership contest.
But Jenrick’s pitch failed to corral Conservative feeling and he was defeated — relatively narrowly — by Kemi Badenoch. The new Tory chief, having assumed the role on Saturday, is today appointing her shadow cabinet (latest picks here).
I have some thoughts below on Badenoch’s immediate challenges — and what her comments over the weekend on “Partygate” and Boris Johnson suggest about her approach.
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Has Kemi Badenoch failed her first test as Conservative leader?
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Cooper condemns ‘appalling’ Kemi Badenoch post shared by Labour MP
Lunchtime soundbite
‘It’s not about the transfer of cash, particularly at a time of a cost-of-living crisis around much of the globe’
— David Lammy says any conversations about slavery reparations need to be about the future rather than the “transfer of cash”.
Now try this…
‘There is no path to serious tax cuts that does not involve serious spending cuts’
ConservativeHome’s Henry Hill writes.
‘British “mega poll” leans toward Harris victory’
Politico reports.
‘The Conservatives gamble on Kemi Badenoch’
The New Statesman’s Rachel Cunliffe asks: does the new leader have the temperament to rescue a party in crisis? (Paywall)
On this day in 2023:
Week-in-Review: New right-wing movement, backed by Kemi Badenoch, spells doom for Rishi Sunak
