UK PM Starmer Seeks Immigration Strategies from Italy’s Meloni

Monday 16 September 2024 - 16:44

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's recent visit to Italy has sparked controversy within his own Labour Party. In a bid to address irregular immigration, Starmer met with Italy's far-right leader, Giorgia Meloni, to explore strategies behind Italy's significant drop in migrant arrivals.

Before the Monday meeting, Starmer expressed a desire to "understand" the measures that led to what he described as a "dramatic reduction" in migrant numbers in Italy. However, this visit has been criticized by some Labour Party members, who view it as troubling due to Meloni's far-right affiliations.

Starmer’s itinerary included a visit to a national immigration coordination centre with Italy’s Interior Minister, Matteo Piantedosi. Despite winning the general election in July, Starmer has vowed to combat illegal immigration while rejecting the previous Conservative administration’s controversial plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda.

Critics, including Labour MP Kim Johnson, have labeled Starmer’s meeting as "disturbing," suggesting it signals an unwelcome alignment with a "neo-fascist government." The criticism comes on the heels of violent far-right riots in the UK targeting mosques and migrant facilities.

The issue of undocumented migration remains a contentious topic in Britain. Over 22,000 individuals have crossed the English Channel from France this year, a slight increase from 2023. Tragically, eight people recently died when their boat ran aground. Meanwhile, 14 boats carrying 801 people arrived in Britain on the same day.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper defended the government's decision to seek advice from Italy, stating it is a "moral imperative" to tackle criminal gangs endangering lives. Although Starmer rejected the Rwanda deportation plan, he has not dismissed the possibility of offshore processing arrangements for asylum claims. Italy’s recent agreements with Albania and Tunisia, as well as a renewed deal with Libya, highlight its approach to managing migration, though human rights groups have criticized these policies for pushing refugees back into dangerous conditions.

During his visit, Starmer remarked that Italy’s reduced migrant arrivals might be attributed to preventive measures in source countries. He emphasized his belief that prevention is crucial in addressing the migration issue effectively.

According to Italy's Ministry of the Interior, sea arrivals of refugees have significantly decreased this year, with 44,675 arrivals from January 1 to September 13, compared to 125,806 during the same period in 2023.