Labour eyes European country’s migrant plan – but it comes at a cost | Politics | News
Labor is considering copying Denmark’s approach to illegal immigration in a bid to reduce the number of small boat crossings, according to reports. It is understood the Northern European country is considered among the toughest on the continent when it comes to restricting refugee entry, and Home Affairs Minister Shabana Mahmood has sent officials there to get clues of that success. Denmark’s rules to restrict most refugees from staying in the country temporarily and strict legislation on family reunification are among the policies noted by the UK Government ahead of an expected change to the country’s immigration system to be announced later this month.
But the proposals have divided some sections of the Labor Party; Some are unsure how mass returns of refugees would be possible without copying Denmark’s offers for substation sums of up to £24,000. This follows a difficult few months for the government; Criticism over its handling of the migrant crisis is growing alongside small boat crossings and worsened by the return of a migrant weeks after being deported under the UK-France return deal.
More than 600 migrants crossed the Channel into the UK on Friday, according to Home Office figures, bringing the number to just over 38,000 so far.
Other MPs worry that following the Danish model would further alienate progressive voters and push the party to the far right, according to the PA report.
Nottingham East MP Nadia Whittome has gone so far as to describe Denmark’s way of dealing with rising immigration numbers as “far right”.
“I think these are the policies of the far right,” he said. “I don’t think anyone wants to see a Labor government flirting with them.”
Ms Mahmood reportedly wants to meet Danish immigration minister Rasmus Stoklund, who has likened Danish society to “hobbits in The Lord of the Rings” and suggested those who do not contribute positively are not welcome.
“We are a small country,” he said. “We live peacefully and quietly with each other. I suppose you could compare us to the hobbits in The Lord of the Rings.
“We expect people who come here to participate and contribute in a positive way, if they don’t they are not welcome.”
