Starmer Blames Brexit, Calls Crossings 'Farage Boats'

At the Labour conference Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer blamed Brexit and Nigel Farage for the surge in small boats crossing the Channel, dubbing them “Farage boats” and saying pre‑Brexit Dublin returns helped curb crossings. He pointed to a limited one‑in‑one‑out deportation deal with France that produced only a small number of removals but argued it proved the concept and should be expanded. Starmer signalled ministers may revisit how Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights is applied — distinguishing risk of summary execution from poorer prison or healthcare conditions abroad — to make some removals easier. Critics, including legal experts and French President Emmanuel Macron, say losing Dublin rules and limits on prosecutions has aided smugglers and that many Kent court cases do not result in deportation. He attacked Reform UK’s immigration proposals as divisive and warned they would “tear our country apart,” while also calling Nigel Farage “formidable” and saying he is not a racist. Commentators noted the “Farage boats” line was used selectively in broadcast interviews and may be a tactical provocation rather than a sustained rebranding.