Sunak fends off Starmer’s attacks on illegal migration

Keir Starmer decided that attack was the best form of defence at Prime Minister’s Questions. He tackled Rishi Sunak’s flagship ‘stop the boats’ policy on the basis that it simply won’t work. The Labour leader started his attack by linking International Women’s Day with what he claimed was the government driving a ‘coach and horses’ through its own anti-slavery legislation, which in particular protects women. He said the government had introduced five immigration reforms, all of which had failed, adding: ‘The Home Secretary says the public are sick of tough talk and inadequate action. Does he agree with her assessment of this government’s record?’

Sunak detailed the illegal migration legislation unveiled yesterday, before saying: ‘What we haven’t heard is the honourable gentleman’s plan. We know what it is. It’s open door immigration and unlimited asylum. Whilst he may be on the side of the people smugglers, we’re on the side of the British people.’