It won’t ‘go away’
Every government representative, when discussing the migrant situation, pins the blame squarely on the 'evil people traffickers'.
This I feel is a distraction tactic and seeks to deflect us from asking what the solution actually needs to be.
Without wishing to be flippant or score political points, the traffickers are only doing what capitalists have always done. They service a need for greatest profit at the lowest cost. Does anyone think that if the people smuggling gangs were 'smashed' that there would be no more boat crossings? People are desperate, and they are ingenious and will find a way.
It seems to me that the only solution lies with international cooperation, joined up thinking and an acceptance that people will come. All we can do is manage the migration in a way that is safe and humane for the migrants, and allows destination countries to manage the influx more effectively.
One idea might be, under the auspices of the UN, to set up migrant staging posts. These running from the borders of Afghanistan or Syria, across Europe to France, and then the UK. There would be safe, humane living conditions for the migrants and a steady progression across Europe. It will take longer for many but perhaps the knowledge that applications ARE being processed and progress IS being made would dissuade many from taking what they know to be a hard and life threatening journey. This system would allow checks to be made and migrants scrutinised for Covid status and if they have any connections to terrorist organisations. These are two of the main concerns cited by those protesting at current migration. Of course, this all falls down if nations are unwilling to look at the problem honestly and as something we all need to address. Money? Well there's always money when it's wanted for nukes, furloughs or Royal Yachts so I don't think that can be used as an objection.
Leaving aside the arguments that it was 'us', the west who caused the situations from which people seek to escapem we are where we are.
If we don't like the way things are, then we must find another way, one that is fair, humane and works. The 'solutions' offered thus far are simply variations on 'make it go away'.
The problem won't go away, so let's