From: Jessica Goetia Brooking, Saxley Court, Havant, Hampshire.

So, contrary to the propaganda coming out of Reform UK and their far right apparatchiks, we now know that thanks to joint UK-France action, our Labour government has now prevented more than 50,000 attempted small boat crossings since the General Election of July 2024. Which is why I commend French authorities for their range of tactics used to disrupt people-smuggling gangs.

Be it intercepting launches, seizing equipment, deploying specialist drone technology, arresting suspected smugglers, or arresting small boat pilots, this is thanks to joint action between this government and the French government and it must be commended.

Which is exactly why this September saw the lowest recorded number of small boat arrivals for that particular month since 2020.

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to the Border Security Command compound in Dover, Kent. PIC: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

placeholder image — A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to the Border Security Command compound in Dover, Kent. PIC: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

Hence, whilst Reform UK clearly opposes closer European integration and the Conservatives are now split on their crackpot policy of withdrawing from the European Court of human rights, under Labour we see enforcement activity continuing to target the criminal networks behind these dangerous crossings.

So, I commend this government and my great friend Hamish Falconer for working with the EU for the good of UK businesses and I condemn Reform UK for yet again being exposed for appointing even more clearly unvetted and disgracefully racist people to represent their party.

The taxpayer deserves better. UK businesses deserve better. Hence, under Andy Burnham and my great friend Hamish Falconer, things are getting better under our Labour government.