The reasons Jungle won’t come to UK
DAVID Cameron claims that if Britain quits the EU, Jungle- style migrant camps will spring up in the South East. JAMES SLACK looks at why critics say he is scaremongering.
THE CALAIS BORDER DEAL HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE EU
The Prime Minister claimed that France could tear up the deal under which British border officials are allowed to operate on French soil. In fact, the arrangement is based on bilateral treaties, signed in 1993 and 2003, which have nothing to do with the eU. France could end the agreement tomorrow – or keep it in place for decades – regardless of our eU membership. France is required to give two years’ notice to change the rules – giving the lie to No 10’s claims that ‘thousands could be here almost overnight’.
IT IS NOT IN FRANCE’S INTERESTS TO HAVE A BORDERS FREE-FOR-ALL
IF migrants believe there will be fewer border checks at Calais, even more are likely to make the journey across France to Calais – bringing further chaos to the port. French railway company SNCF has a 55 per cent stake in eurostar and will be desperate to avoid making a bad situation worse. The UK has also given France around £20million to boost security at Calais, including erecting giant new fences. ending the agreement with the UK would mean turning off the funding taps.
THE CURRENT DEAL BENEFITS BOTH SIDES – NOT JUST BRITAIN
IN October, French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said calling for the border with the english to be opened would send a signal to people-smugglers and would lead migrants to flow to Calais in far greater numbers. A humanitarian disaster would ensue. It is a foolhardy path, and one the government will not pursue. Also, under existing treaties the French are allowed to have border controls at Dover. If they wave everybody through into Britain, they could expect the UK to reciprocate. France already has a huge terrorism problem. Would it really wish to gamble on who was entering from the UK side? Mr Cameron gives the impression it is the juxtaposed controls or nothing. In fact, we have a series of existing powers to allow us to turn away people with no permission to enter the UK.
THE IDEA THAT CAMPS WOULD SPRING UP ON ENGLISH SOIL IS NONSENSE
The reason migrants are camped in Calais is because they do not want to claim asylum in France – preferring the ‘soft touch’ UK instead. If they did make it into the UK, they would immediately disappear into the black market or claim asylum and be placed in housing funded by the taxpayer. They would have zero incentive to live in a squalid camp.