How bothered are you about Small Boats?

[Spinet]

I think the idea that people think Small Boats with illegal immigrants on them is a really pressing issue is made up by politicians to have something to campaign on. Am I right? Is this a pressing issue as far as you're concerned?

I'm not really talking about immigration/ asylum seekers in general, just the small boats everyone keeps mentioning. If you're worried about people dying in the channel I get that, but do you think people finding their way here illegally is a major issue for our country at the moment?

I think it's clear I don't but I will accept I'm wrong about this being a made up issue if the majority disagree with me.

If you want to vote YABU= this is one of my top ten concerns. YANBU = I don't think it's a top ten issue for the country.

We should give them better boats

I think it's the tip of a hike iceberg. At the end of the day we spend millions housing these people, they get access to a dentist which is impossible for millions of British people, they get free gym membership - a luxury most can't afford. I'm all for helping people live a better life but it should be on an equal basis to the lower quality of life here not better than.

YABU. I am concerned about them. They need to be stopped by any means necessary.

There were 1.2 million immigrants for the year ending December 2022, the 'boat' people make up only 10% of that.

It’s still 10% we cannot support.

I think they should take up the French offer to process people in France and put the people traffickers out of business.

YANBU. It's a witch hunt dreamt up by the Tories to give the masses an enemy and distract them from the government's many, many failings.

This.

We seem to give those who come here illegally a better life than we do those who are our own and have lived their life on the streets. I'm all for helping people where needed, but there's a reason the people smugglers are helping them get to our shores instead of any other safe European country that they pass.

they get access to a dentist which is impossible for millions of British people, they get free gym membership - a luxury most can't afford.

@motomum23 really? Free gym membership? What on earth makes you think this?

Asylum seekers don’t get free gym membership.

This.

It’s not my main concern but if I lived on the coast of Kent I’d be pretty pissed off- it’s not pleasant, shouldn’t be accepted and it’s part of a greater conversation about immigration, asylum and a fair legal logic practical immigration plan. The absence of a plan is what worries me, and is reflective of everything wrong about the tories.

If they are willing to not only get on those boats, but put their children on those boats... they must be desperate.

I'm concerned about the traffickers making money from that desperation. But not about the vast majority of the people trying to get here.

Yes I do agree with you @OnlyFoolsnMothers . I think the 'stop the boats' motto doesn't really cover all the complexities but I can see that some people disagree with me.

It's a concern for me because I don't want people profiteering from putting peoples lives at risk. They should be stopped and out of business. Low life.

Its a problem caused by the Tories to stoke hatred and distract from real issues. It does not impact the majority of people. The costs have been taken out of the overseas aid budget and redirected to the wealthy contractors who provide the accommodation and food (obviously they have to make donations to the Tories)

It’s basically negligible in terms of actual immigration.

The Tories claim to be anti immigration but are letting 500,000 new people in every year through legal routes.

Small boats is 10,000 ish a year. It’s the tip of the iceberg. Yet the Tories want us to focus on that so we ignore the half a million they’re letting in legally.

I think they should take up the French offer to process people in France

The UK government refuse to do this, stating you can only claim asylum once you are on UK soil. As most commercial carriers refuse to transport people without a visa, this forces people into the hands of criminals.

France has tried to open a legal route for asylum seekers, but the Tory Government won't allow it. It's almost like they want people to cross the channel in dangerous boats.

It is obvious they are doing it as a vote winner.

Agree!

I don't believe a word of this. Unless you can prove it?

The whole system is a shit show, caused by the government.

I like Labours plan to treat the people smugglers like terrorists, more cooperation with the Eu and specifically France, will help a lot.

In terms of whether I'm worried about their lives and travelling conditions, yes, I'm human. I will never know what it's like to be so desperate for a better life that I'm willing to drown for it.
However, in terms of immigration I think boats are the least of our worries, most illegal immigrants arrive by plane.

Not even a little bit. And I live in Dover.

This is complete bullshit. Just total bullshit.

I’m conflicted. I’m concerned about the welfare of these people, particularly the children. I understand people are desperate.I want safe channels of immigration.

However I understand criminals and economic migrants also use the route. I understand that people trafficking is a problem and will only grow if small boats are successful.

It’s not an easy answer yes or no, it’s part of a wider global issue we only have some control over.

I certainly don’t hate or resent these people, but I also recognise there’s a problem as it stands and there’s no easy fix.

I would support better patrolling of the channel to prevent boats, on safety grounds alone, but in conjunction with an overhaul of the wider system