"Stop the Boats" is a phrase that has assumed the status of an impeachable truth - the number of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats must eventually be reduced to absolute zero. But what if that is actually unachievable?
The number of people crossing in small boats has risen from 299 in 2018 (the first year in which records began) to 36,816 in 2024, peaking at 45,774 in 2022. As the world has become a more unstable place (is that actually true?) massive migration flows from war-torn or economically poor countries to safer and richer ones have occurred. It's hard to see how, other than by long-term changes in inter-nation inequality and the elimination of war, this can be totally negated.
There are those who would claim that Brexit has been a major factor, as the EU's Dublin III Regulation system allowed us to send asylum seekers back to the country in which they first could have claimed asylum. However, in practice this never worked substantially: in 2018 5,510 requests were made but only 3.8% were successful. 2019: 3,259 requests, 8% successful.
Any political party in the UK which said outright "it is not possible to stop the boats" would almost certainly not get elected. Democracy basically requires our politicians to lie - about small boats, the unsustainable demands for both lower taxes and better public services and other issues. Democracy suggests governments should be cognisant of - perhaps even enact - the will of the people. But what if the people are ignorant? Or stupid? Or both?
Democratic countries have a trust problem - ours in our governments, theirs in us. Am I talking myself into voting for "none of the above" again? (Corbyn was the last time)
It’s worse now than ever it was. I’m sure that’s because of the malign influence of so much of the media so anyone wanting to be elected watches every word or gesture because it will be picked apart and and often lead to dreadful abuse.
ReplyDeleteIt is increasingly difficult to find candidates who are steely enough to tolerate it and that in itself leads to a certain type of person going into the arena.
And they all lie. Not just economical with the truth but blithe smiling promises that they know won’t or can’t be kept. Some worse than others if course. And FPP doesn’t help either as that leads to cynicism and apathy in so many.
I’ve never not voted but often held my nose and voted for the least worse candidate. Because someone will be elected even with a 5% turnout.
I also think the constant harping in Left / Right is beyond unhelpful. Alternatives should be debated as moral or immoral and then the best way to achieve the most moral
Outcome. In my dreams I think.