How Britain can help to reduce the flow of migrants

YOU report Boris Johnson’s response to the dreadful tragedy in the Channel (“Dozens die in biggest loss of life in English Channel”, November 25).

He talks about working “on the beaches concerned, on the launching grounds for these boats.” He’s clearly channelling his inner Churchill yet again, echoing his hero’s famous speech: “We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds ...”

That’s the problem with Mr Johnson: even when dealing with grim and horrifying events, he feels the need to come up with an allusion or a quip that demonstrates his cleverness and intellectual superiority.

I have news for him: he’s certainly clever, but he is also a fool, and a selfish, heartless one at that.

The language about migrants regularly used by Mr Johnson and his Home Secretary, Priti Patel, this past year has been shocking.

Migrants are portrayed as an invading force, intent on attacking the very foundations of British society. We have a Clandestine Channel Threat Commander, whose job it is to defend our shores and repel the invaders.

The Government even wants Border Force boats to push flimsy dinghies, overcrowded with men, women and children, back into French waters if they’re found to have made it as far as the British side of the Channel.

Typically, Mr Johnson tries to blame the French for not doing enough to stop migrant boats from setting off. International migration is a global problem and the UK, at the furthest reach of the smuggling gangs, receives only a fraction of the numbers who flee their own country to seek safety, or a better life, elsewhere.

If we are to reduce the flow of migrants to the UK, we need to work with all the other nations affected to tackle the outflow at source.

Sadly, Mr Johnson is too wrapped up in his British nationalist nonsense to be a credible partner in any transnational initiative.

If the UK wants to reduce the flow of migrants, it should stop marching into foreign lands of which it understands little then scurrying out when it realises its error.

And it should increase its spending on overseas development to at least its legally-required level of 0.7 per cent of gross national income, so that there are better prospects at home for those who otherwise undertake the difficult, dangerous and traumatic journey to our shores.

Doug Maughan,

Dunblane.