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New Statesman
14-07-2025
- Politics
- New Statesman
Why is Boris Johnson so scared of Emmanuel Macron?
Brexitworld is in a state of outrage. It is bad enough that the French president was granted a State visit to the UK in which there are fancy dinners, speeches to Parliament, meetings with the King and everyone speaks fondly of his nation. Entente amicale, indeed. But then our guest had the temerity to point out that Brexit has not gone entirely to plan. 'Many people in your country explained that Brexit would make it possible to fight more effectively against illegal immigration,' said President Macron, 'but since Brexit the UK has no migratory agreement with the EU.' This, he argued, in combination with the absence of legal routes within Europe to come to the UK, 'makes an incentive to make the crossing, precisely the opposite of what the pro-Brexit people promised.' Not done there, Macron went on to say that the British people were 'sold a lie…which is that the problem was Europe, but the problem has become Brexit'. How very dare he? In some of our newspapers, the GB News studios and on social media, Brexiteer fury has been unconstrained. He is 'arrogant and condescending'; he is 'insulting the British people'; he has 'libelled half the country as dunces', particularly the working-classes; he has committed a 'grotesque offence against diplomacy'; his comments, according to the Shadow Home Secretary, no less, are 'damaging to democracy'; he is 'an enemy and should be treated as such'. Not to miss out on this sudden revival of 2019 rhetoric, our former Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has waded in. 'The French president is blatantly using this crisis to make a political point – namely that Brexit Britain has been unable to control its borders', thunders Johnson in the Daily Mail, shocked that anyone could stoop so low as to use a crisis to make a political point. In the interests of his readers, however, Johnson overcomes his scruples to ask who is the 'evil genius' behind the arrival of thousands of migrants on the Kent shore, a 'daily humiliation of the British state' and a 'moral, political and economic disaster'. It is all a giant conspiracy, you see, masterminded by a 'Mr Big' (or 'Monsieur Petit', hoho!), to discredit Brexit. It is President Macron who is to blame. All these young men in boats have been 'effectively recruited by Macron to embarrass the UK'; they are his 'shock troops in his continuing jihad against Brexit'. Having established his credentials as a statesman and serious thinker with all the authority of a distinguished former Prime Minister, Johnson proceeds to give his views on the UK-France migrant deal agreed last week. He points out that if the scheme is approved, the French expect to take about 50 people per week and that, on current numbers of migrants, only 6 per cent would be deported. This is a perfectly reasonable point. When it comes to addressing these crossings, it is not a silver bullet, as Ministers have acknowledged. Johnson, however, does have a silver bullet. The Rwanda scheme, he says, 'doesn't mean sending back six per cent of illegals; it means sending 100 per cent of them from Kent to Kigali'. Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe This is very evidently untrue. At best, Rwanda had capacity for 500 migrants in the first year, the equivalent of ten weeks of the new French arrangement. If the scale of the new deal with France is insufficient to deter migrants from crossing the channel, so was the Rwanda scheme. Who would have expected a blatant untruth on immigration from Johnson? Truly, it is just like old times – as is the general tenor of the debate. Macron's central argument is that the leave campaign promised that Brexit would deliver simple answers to complex problems. Sufficient numbers of people believed the promises for the country to leave, Brexit was delivered, but the problems – including illegal migration – have got worse, not better. He has a point. What is fascinating is to observe how the Brexiteers – those who made the unfulfilled promises – have reacted. It is not to claim that Brexit has been a success and to reassure leave-voters that they have been vindicated. If pressed, many acknowledge that it has not gone well, but claim that it just has not been implemented properly. Instead, it is to fall back on the argument that Brexit is the 'will of the people'; that the narrow victory on 23 June 2016 was a statement of eternal truth that must be forever revered and unquestioned. Our politicians might seek to divine what it means (and, obviously, those who were supportive of Brexit from the start are best placed to do so), but should not question the judgement. It has become a matter of faith. And then comes along Emmanuel Macron. He says that the people (52 per cent of those who voted nine years ago) were wrong, that their decision was based upon untruths. Rather than venerate the wisdom of the people, he is – according to his critics – calling them stupid. He is a blasphemer from a foreign land. For advocates of Brexit, the referendum result settled the matter. To question the decision, to compare the promises made at the time and the subsequent reality is an offensive attack on democracy. The debate must be closed down. To some extent, as a tactic, it continues to work. Few mainstream British politicians make the argument that the 2016 result was a mistake, even if most of the public would agree. For those who remain Brexit-supporters, any criticism of Brexit is taken personally. But a mistake it surely was, and it should not be left to just President Macron to say so. Related
Kuwait Times
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
UK, France unveil migrants deal as Macron ends visit
NORTHWOOD, United Kingdom: London and Paris unveiled a 'pilot' program on Thursday to return to France some of the migrants arriving in the UK on small boats across the Channel, as President Emmanuel Macron wrapped up his state visit. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the deal, hammered out during the French leader's three-day visit, 'groundbreaking' and capable of stemming the record numbers of people who have embarked on the perilous journey so far this year. 'This is groundbreaking, because this is a scheme intended to break the model, and to make it clear that if you cross in a small boat, then you'll end up where you started,' he said in a joint press conference with Macron. 'In exchange for every return, a different individual will be allowed to come here' in a safe manner, Starmer said, adding that the scheme would start within 'the coming weeks'. Although Starmer did not say how many people might be returned to France, media reports suggest it could initially total around 50 people a week. In comments likely to infuriate pro-Brexit groups, Macron said Britain's 2020 departure from the EU had worsened the situation in the Channel, cutting off legal migration routes and access to the bloc's own returns agreements. 'So for people wanting to cross, there is no legal way, nor a way of sending people back after a crossing,' Macron said. 'This is a pull factor to attempt the crossing — exactly the inverse effect of what Brexit promised.' Meanwhile, Macron urged joint UK-France recognition of a Palestinian state, calling such moves 'the only hope for peace' in the conflict-ridden region. Alongside migration, the two leaders used the visit to work on a raft of initiatives and shared concerns over defense, trade and culture. They included addressing the volatile situation in the Middle East, continued support for Ukraine and a 'reboot' of defense ties, including joint missile development and nuclear cooperation. Among the announcements was a commitment to increase from 10,000 to 50,000 troops a Combined Joint Expeditionary Force (CJEF) established more than a decade ago. The cross-Channel allies also said they would order more Storm Shadow cruise missiles — long-range, air-launched weapons jointly developed by the allies — while stepping up work on a replacement system. The missiles have been shipped to Ukraine in significant numbers to help Kyiv in its war with Russia following Moscow's full-scale 2022 invasion. Starmer and Macron dialed into a meeting Thursday of the so-called 'coalition of the willing' on Ukraine, announcing that new headquarters for the European-led, 30-nation grouping had opened in Paris. Britain and France are spearheading talks among the coalition on how to support a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, including potentially deploying peacekeeping forces. The visit also saw the typical British pomp and pageantry of such occasions, with King Charles III and Queen Camilla welcoming Macron and his wife Brigitte to Windsor Castle on Tuesday. The entourage enjoyed a horse-drawn carriage procession, a 41-gun salute and a banquet at Windsor Castle, west of London, where the Francophile king and French leader toasted a new 'entente amicale'. However, much of the attention over the three-day visit focused on the vexing issue of cross-Channel migration. It has become a major headache for Starmer's year-old Labour government, as support for the upstart anti-immigrant Reform UK party soars. More than 21,000 migrants have made the Channel crossing in rudimentary vessels this year alone. As the leaders met Thursday, the UK Coastguard said a number of the small boats headed to southeast England had been sighted in the Channel. Meanwhile, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage reacted to the returns deal, branding it 'a humiliation for Brexit Britain'. 'We have acted today as an EU member and bowed down to an arrogant French President,' Farage said on X. The main opposition Conservative Party also criticized the plan, accusing Starmer of 'weak and ineffective gimmicks'. The mooted migrant-exchange scheme has also sparked 'serious concerns' among some other European nations. – AFP
RTHK
10-07-2025
- Politics
- RTHK
UK, France unveil migrants deal
UK, France unveil migrants deal UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron shake hands during a press conference in London. Photo: Reuters London and Paris unveiled a "pilot" programme on Thursday to return to France some of the migrants arriving in the UK on small boats across the Channel, as President Emmanuel Macron wrapped up his state visit. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the deal, hammered out during the French leader's three-day visit, "groundbreaking" and capable of stemming the record numbers of people who have embarked on the perilous journey so far this year. "This is groundbreaking, because this is a scheme intended to break the model, and to make it clear that if you cross in a small boat, then you'll end up where you started," he said in a joint press conference with Macron. "In exchange for every return, a different individual will be allowed to come here" in a safe manner, Starmer said, adding that the scheme would start within "the coming weeks". Although Starmer did not say how many people might be returned to France, media reports suggest it could initially total around 50 people a week. In comments likely to infuriate pro-Brexit groups, Macron said Britain's 2020 departure from the EU had worsened the situation in the Channel, cutting off legal migration routes and access to the bloc's own returns agreements. "So for people wanting to cross, there is no legal way, nor a way of sending people back after a crossing," Macron said. "This is a pull factor to attempt the crossing - exactly the inverse effect of what Brexit promised." Alongside migration, the two leaders used the visit to work on a raft of initiatives and shared concerns over defence, trade and culture. They included addressing the volatile situation in the Middle East, continued support for Ukraine and a "reboot" of defence ties, including joint missile development and nuclear cooperation. (AFP)
Straits Times
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
UK, France unveil migrants deal as Macron wraps up state visit
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox NORTHWOOD, United Kingdom - London and Paris unveiled a 'pilot' programme on July 10 to return to France some of the migrants arriving in the UK on small boats across the Channel, as President Emmanuel Macron wrapped up his state visit. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the deal, hammered out during the French leader's three-day visit, 'groundbreaking' and capable of stemming the record numbers of people who have embarked on the perilous journey so far this year. 'This is groundbreaking, because this is a scheme intended to break the model, and to make it clear that if you cross in a small boat, then you'll end up where you started,' he said, in a joint press conference with Mr Macron. 'In exchange for every return, a different individual will be allowed to come here' in a safe manner, Mr Starmer said, adding that the scheme would start within 'the coming weeks'. Although Mr Starmer did not say how many people might be returned to France, media reports suggest it could initially total around 50 people a week. In comments likely to infuriate pro-Brexit groups, Mr Macron said Britain's 2020 departure from the EU had worsened the situation in the Channel, cutting off legal migration routes and access to the bloc's own return agreements. 'So for people wanting to cross, there is no legal way, nor a way of sending people back after a crossing,' Mr Macron said. 'This is a pull factor to attempt the crossing – exactly the inverse effect of what Brexit promised.' Wide-ranging focus Alongside migration, the two leaders used the visit to work on a raft of initiatives and shared concerns over defence, trade and culture. They included addressing the volatile situation in the Middle East, continued support for Ukraine and a 'reboot' of defence ties, including joint missile development and nuclear cooperation. Among the announcements was a commitment to increase from 10,000 to 50,000 troops a Combined Joint Expeditionary Force (CJEF) established more than a decade ago. The cross-Channel allies also said they would order more Storm Shadow cruise missiles – long-range, air-launched weapons jointly developed by the allies – while stepping up work on a replacement system. The missiles have been shipped to Ukraine in significant numbers to help Kyiv in its war with Russia following Moscow's full-scale 2022 invasion. Mr Starmer and Mr Macron dialled into a meeting on July 10 of the so-called 'coalition of the willing' on Ukraine, announcing that new headquarters for the European-led, 30-nation grouping had opened in Paris. Britain and France are spearheading talks among the coalition on how to support a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, including potentially deploying peacekeeping forces. Meanwhile, Mr Macron urged joint UK-France recognition of a Palestinian state, calling such moves 'the only hope for peace' in the conflict-ridden region. Time for pomp The visit also saw the typical British pomp and pageantry of such occasions, with King Charles III and Queen Camilla welcoming Mr Macron and his wife Brigitte to Windsor Castle on July 8. The entourage enjoyed a horse-drawn carriage procession, a 41-gun salute and a banquet at Windsor Castle, west of London, where the Francophile king and French leader toasted a new 'entente amicale'. However, much of the attention over the three-day visit focused on the vexing issue of cross-Channel migration. It has become a major headache for Mr Starmer's year-old Labour government, as support for the upstart anti-immigrant Reform UK party soars. More than 21,000 migrants have made the Channel crossing in rudimentary vessels this year alone. As the leaders met on July 10, the UK Coastguard said a number of the small boats headed to south-east England had been sighted in the Channel. Meanwhile Reform UK leader Nigel Farage reacted to the returns deal, branding it 'a humiliation for Brexit Britain'. 'We have acted today as an EU member and bowed down to an arrogant French President,' Mr Farage said on X. The main opposition Conservative Party also criticised the plan, accusing Mr Starmer of 'weak and ineffective gimmicks' The mooted migrant-exchange scheme has also sparked 'serious concerns' among some other European nations. AFP
LeMonde
10-07-2025
- Politics
- LeMonde
UK and France strike a 'pilot deal' on migration as Macron wraps up state visit
London and Paris unveiled a "pilot" program on Thursday, July 10, to return to France some of the migrants arriving in the UK on small boats across the Channel, as President Emmanuel Macron wrapped up his state visit. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the deal, hammered out during the French leader's three-day visit, "groundbreaking" and capable of stemming the record numbers of people who have embarked on the perilous journey so far this year. "This is groundbreaking, because this is a scheme intended to break the model, and to make it clear that if you cross in a small boat, then you'll end up where you started," Starmer said in a joint press conference with Macron. "In exchange for every return, a different individual will be allowed to come here" safely, Starmer said, adding that the scheme would start within "the coming weeks." Although Starmer did not say how many people might be returned to France, media reports suggest it could initially total around 50 people a week. In comments likely to infuriate pro-Brexit groups, Macron said Britain's 2020 departure from the EU had worsened the situation in the Channel, cutting off legal migration routes and access to the bloc's own returns agreements. "So for people wanting to cross, there is no legal way, nor a way of sending people back after a crossing," Macron said. "This is a pull factor to attempt the crossing – exactly the inverse effect of what Brexit promised." Major headache for Starmer Alongside migration, the two leaders used the visit to work on a raft of initiatives and shared concerns over defense, trade and culture. They included addressing the volatile situation in the Middle East, continued support for Ukraine and a "reboot" of defense ties, including joint missile development and nuclear cooperation. However, much of the attention over the three-day visit focused on the vexing issue of cross-Channel migration. It has become a major headache for Starmer's year-old Labour government, as support for the upstart anti-immigrant Reform UK party soars. More than 21,000 migrants have made the Channel crossing in rudimentary vessels this year alone. As the leaders met on Thursday, the UK Coastguard said a number of small boats headed to southeast England had been sighted in the Channel. Meanwhile, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage reacted to the returns deal, branding it "a humiliation for Brexit Britain." "We have acted today as an EU member and bowed down to an arrogant French president," Farage said on X. The main opposition Conservative Party also criticized the plan, accusing Starmer of "weak and ineffective gimmicks." The mooted migrant-exchange scheme has also sparked "serious concerns" among some other European nations.
