Starmer Faces Broad Criticism Over UK-France Migrant Exchange Deal

The UK government's new "one in, one out" migrant return deal with France, announced by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, has faced widespread criticism and skepticism regarding its effectiveness. Veteran Conservative MP Sir David Davis dismissed the arrangement as ineffective, noting that it fails to deter Channel crossings and criticizing the Prime Minister's negotiation skills. Leading migration experts, such as Dr. Madeleine Sumption, warned that unless a significant number of migrants are returned, smugglers will shift to more clandestine routes, potentially increasing dangers. Pollsters and analysts have described the deal as a "publicity stunt" unlikely to improve Starmer's popularity amid record low trust in the government, while internal Labour Party polling shows divisions over migration policy. Charities and refugee groups have condemned the agreement for reducing migrants to "commodities to be exchanged" and raising concerns about human rights and potential racial profiling in deportation practices. Despite mixed reactions—including concerns from French local officials and ongoing EU legal assessments—UK officials remain confident in the deal's legality and potential to manage migration flows more effectively.