So what can in practical terms fully halt illegal immigration?

If you had to flee your country would you want to live in a country where you already know people who live there, you speak the language and understand the culture or would you go somewhere where you know no one and couldn't speak the language?
There is no compulsion to seek asylum in the nearest safe country. It is also impractical. Are you saying the UK shouldn't take any asylum seekers?

Another option is cracking down HARD on crime.

No you can't come here and be treated well if you commit a crime.

There really is no reason why foreign criminals wouldn't want to live here as things stand currently.

Plenty of ways of discouraging them just by how we approach things internally, without having to physically stop boats etc.

Why arent they seeking asylum in the first safe country? Once they choose to go through another safe country, or many other safe countries, imo they are no longer asylum seekers. They have other reasons for wanting to come specifically here, not just to a safe place
Typical 'its not my problem, don't give a shit if it becomes my neighbour's' attitude.

The fact that the UK is the furthest away from where most asylum seekers land doesn't mean it's lesser their responsibility to the problem.

Of course many decide to make it here. Because the closer countries are already overwhelmed (yes, news scoop, it's not just a UK issue!), and of course the language and free NHS is going to be part of their reason to keep going too!

Reduce the comfy life and benefits offered here. I honestly think that's the only way.

People aren't coming here for the weather, that's for sure.

I don't think the issue is with illegal immigration only. Most native British people are not experts in immigration law (even many Home Office caseworkers are not experts lol) and would probably care less whether someone's paperwork has all the correct stamps on it. My own immigration history in the UK, although watertight legally, most reform voters would probably consider "illegal" and taking advantage.

First, Reform has NOT won a landslide. It has won a large (but not overwhelming) number of Council seats and a couple of local councils.
Second, Reform in Parliament is still a minute party which makes a lot of noise but does (& can do) nothing.
Third, on the basis of his performance (& that of his party in local government) to date, he will do sod all in the event that he ever gets into No 10.

Loads do settle in the first safe country. Turkey, Egypt, Germany France etc all have many more asylum seekers than the U.K. does. Also people come here for language or because they’ve got family/friends here. If people are fleeing their homes and starting again with nothing, you can’t blame them for choosing to go to a particular place.

My answer is to process people on the ground in France. Not sure how practical this is and probably the French won't allow it.

The one thing that the UK bends over backwards to avoid - a biometric national ID card system.

Get Mexico to pay for a wall?

Why arent they seeking asylum in the first safe country? Once they choose to go through another safe country, or many other safe countries, imo they are no longer asylum seekers. They have other reasons for wanting to come specifically here, not just to a safe place.

Asylum seekers are not illegal. Illegal immigrants are the ones overstaying visas etc. I would introduce ID, checks on where people live and do spot checks on businesses to ensure they are not employing people with no right to be in the country.