UK Prime Minister Blames Brexit for Failure to Stem Channel Migrant Crossings

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has attributed the ongoing failure to prevent small boats carrying migrants from crossing the English Channel to the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union. Burnham stated that Brexit has resulted in a "loss of collaboration with neighbours" on migration issues, a sentiment he expressed while facing criticism over a recent surge in arrivals.

On Wednesday, approximately 781 migrants reached British shores, marking the highest daily total this year. This recent influx has brought the total number of arrivals since the general election to 83,279, a figure the Conservative Party has highlighted as exceeding the British Army's strength of 83,000 soldiers.

Addressing the rising numbers in regional television interviews, Burnham distanced himself from comments made by Education Secretary Lucy Powell, who suggested that the Labour party could not stop every boat. The Prime Minister asserted that his goal is to prevent all crossings, but acknowledged the impact of Brexit.

"We had a more... co-operative system, if you like, in the past, so we are not able to have the same levels of collaboration that we used to have," Burnham said. "But I don't put that forward as a reason why we won't keep working until we get the crossings right down. That is our goal, that we don't want to see any crossings at all."

Burnham's position appears to contrast with that of Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who stated in February that Brexit was not to blame for the crossings. "Is Brexit responsible for the boats? I don't think that's true," Mahmood told MPs at the time.

Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, criticized Burnham's stance, stating that before Brexit, agreements were in place that led to more people being sent back than taken in. Farage argued that many voted for Brexit to gain control of borders, a goal he believes has been betrayed by successive governments, including the current one.

Burnham also condemned recent anti-migrant demonstrations by individuals described as "black-clad extremists," calling the actions "not the British way." He characterized these protests as attempts to intimidate and create fear, stating they should be addressed by police as such.

His remarks follow the case of Daniel Thomas, an anti-migrant activist who pleaded not guilty to criminal damage after allegedly slashing a boat in the English Channel while emergency responders were aboard. Thomas, 37, denied the charges at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court.

When questioned about protests in Dover, Portsmouth, and Basingstoke, Burnham emphasized that such demonstrations are designed to provoke unrest and that people should be able to live without fear.