Mercy Muroki: Could I sleep at night knowing that, from today, we’d be sending migrants to an off-shore processing centre? I could.

Mercy Muroki: Could I sleep at night knowing that, from today, we’d be sending migrants to an off-shore processing centre? I could.
Mercy Muroki: 'People traffickers see Britain as a get rich quick scheme.'
Mercy Muroki

By Mercy Muroki


Published: 13/08/2021

- 10:37

Updated: 13/08/2021

- 12:08

We’re a laughing stock to people traffickers who see Britain’s shambolic inability to curb these crossings as a get rich quick scheme.

Yesterday evening, a migrant died after the dinghy they were in capsized as a group tried to cross the English Channel from France into Britain.

Another tragic addition to the hundreds who have died trying to make the dangerous and illegal journey into the UK.


Only a few months ago, a whole family - including 3 children aged 1, 6, and 9 - died making the journey from France into England.

Now, let me first say that – of course – all migrant deaths in the channel are sad and tragic. And, to be honest, it’s lucky this incident didn’t end in more deaths! Were it not for the Belgian air force lifting several other men from the sea, we could’ve been looking at a much higher death toll.

And, whilst those who would rather have open borders will say this is exactly why we should be softer on illegal migration, I say this is a reminder for why we need to get tougher.

I can’t think of a single reason why the price of death is worth paying for merely crossing from France, a safe, democratic, human-rights respecting country to Britain, a safe, democratic, human-rights respecting country.

And here’s what else I think - I think that for the most part the people crossing into this country through the Channel are probably economic migrants.

I also think that we’re a laughing stock to people traffickers – who by the way have this migrants’ blood on their hands – who see Britain’s shambolic inability to curb these crossings as a get rich quick scheme.

More than 10,000 migrants have now successfully crossed into the UK. Just a week ago, a daily record was set for the number of migrant crossings as 482 migrants arrived in Britain.

Those who suggest to have all the answers are either being daft, disingenuous, or delusional – if the people who have been in charge of this for years, and have both the money and power to make things happen can’t even sort it, then neither can migrant lobby groups who claim to have the answers.

What I am suggesting is that maybe, just maybe, a short-term pain long-term gain strategy is needed FOR NOW.

Could I sleep at night knowing that, from today, we’d be sending migrants to an off-shore processing centre? You know what, I could.

Could I sleep at night knowing that, from today, we’d be were saying ‘if you come here from France, your application will be automatically rejected’ - I could.

I could if it means the measures would curb the problem in the short to medium term whilst France and Britain get it’s act together and figure out a long term plan, then I’ll live with that.

Because, quite frankly, I don’t want more deaths in the channel, I don’t want people smugglers to carry on profiting from misery, I don’t want the UK to look like an incompetent soft-touch nation.

After all, what is the worst that could happen?

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