Patrick O’Flynn Patrick O’Flynn

Sunak’s migrant muddle exposes his flaws

Rishi Sunak (Credit: Getty images)

Why do very smart people so often do very stupid things? Possibly it is because they cannot see how their actions look to those not similarly bestowed with such cerebral gifts.

Yet when you are an elected politician, it is the average Joes who ultimately get to decide your fate. The latest case in point is Rishi Sunak’s decision to grant an effective amnesty to up to 54,000 migrants who entered the UK illegally before March 2023. 

Yet another promise of jam tomorrow is meant to sweeten a meal of mud pie today. That simply won’t work

Unlawful arrivals after that date will in theory soon be subject to a standard removals regime once Sunak’s Illegal Migration Bill is on the statue book and the Rwanda scheme is up and running. But those illegal entrants who were already in the asylum queue between June 2022 and March 2023 are going to be allowed to proceed with their claims and if successful will be able to stay in the UK for five years, after which they can apply to settle permanently.

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