Education minister Baroness Jacqui Smith spoke to BBC Breakfast after new figures showed the number of migrants who’ve crossed the Channel
Baroness Jacqui Smith was branded “clueless” by BBC Breakfast viewers as she spoke about new figures that are believed to show the number of migrants who’ve crossed the Channel since Labour was elected. The Education minister squirmed as she was quizzed about the “smash the gangs” pledge and on the number of migrants who have passed 50,000 since Keir Starmer became Prime Minister. She spoke about the Borders Bill, which aims to “challenge the gangs,” but was asked if she would fulfill that pledge, as “so many people are coming over and it doesn’t feel it’s being fulfilled.” She argued that Labour is “already making progress”, but understands “how concerning it is.”
Jacqui said, “We understand how concerning this is to people. We understand that people might think that we don’t have a grip on our borders. It’s concerning because this is a terrible trade in which people die and are exploited for profit.
Jacqui Smith was quizzed on BBC Breakfast about the “smash the gangs (Image: BBC)
“The deal with the French and more powers for our border force to make arrests – in terms of the doubling of the asylum claims – decisions will then be made quickly, and if you don’t have a right to be here, you will be returned.”
Fans reacted to the interview on social media, with one BBC viewer complaining: “Clueless! All men of fighting age arriving daily by dinghy! Just needed navy deployed to the channel to turn back the dinghies! How hard can it be?”
Another also argued: “Labour said boat arrivals would go down under them – they’ve gone up by 50%. Not good.” A third simply said: “‘Concerning.’ You have no idea.”
Yesterday, a GB News star reacted to the news that Keir Starmer‘s Chagos Islands deal could cost ten times more than previously thought. Dawn Neesom appeared on the breakfast show alongside Eamonn Holmes and Ellie Costello to discuss the news.
Speaking about the Chagos deal, which is now estimated to cost £35billion according to official documents, the panel reacted that the Prime Minister “doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”
The figure, which was released to the Conservative Party under the Freedom of Information Act, is far higher than previously claimed. The Prime Minister said in public that the deal would cost £3.4billion over a century, accounting for other discounts and inflation.
Dawn reacted and said: “Well, is our Prime Minister a liar or is he stupid? I don’t understand how this does not make sense. We were told that it would only cost £3.4billion in 99 years – but now we have found out the actual figures are close to £34.7billion.”
