[Politics] Small boats, smashing the criminal gangs and the UK job market

[Thunder Bolt]

If they arrive with passports and supporting documentation no problem

Here’s the numbers for you

During Operation Herrick (2003-2014), the British government employed approximately 7,000 local Afghans. Of those, 2,850 worked as interpreters and translators on the frontline, primarily in Helmand province. Additionally, 3,857 Afghan citizens were employed as Locally Employed Civilians (LECs) between 2001 and 2014.

In the UK, for the year 2025, small boat crossings have been on the rise. As of April 28, 2025, over 10,000 people had crossed the English Channel in small boats. This represents an increase of about 40% compared to the same period in 2024. The top five nationalities arriving by small boat in 2024 were Afghans, Syrians, Iranians, Vietnamese, and Eritreans, accounting for 61% of all arrivals.

You missed out those who actually served in the military.

The air force lieutenant, who flew 30 combat missions against the Taliban and was praised by his coalition forces supervisor as a “patriot to his nation”, was forced into hiding and said it was “impossible” to make his way to Britain via a safe route.

Afghan pilot finally reunited with family after Independent campaign

An Afghan pilot who The Independent fought to be allowed to build a life in Britain, has finally been reunited with his wife and daughter. Holly Bancroft met the young family as they begin to attempt to rebuild their lives after fleeing the Taliban and years of separation

www.independent.co.uk

 

[Thunder Bolt]

But you have to claim asylum in the first safe country you arrive at. If you keep going, you become an economic migrate, and then entering a further country this becomea illegal.

False. Asylum seekers and refugees can chose the country they claim asylum in.

United Nations convention on refugees, 1951, as signed up for this country by the Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill.

 

[Chicken Run]

You missed out those who actually served in the military.

The air force lieutenant, who flew 30 combat missions against the Taliban and was praised by his coalition forces supervisor as a “patriot to his nation”, was forced into hiding and said it was “impossible” to make his way to Britain via a safe route.

Afghan pilot finally reunited with family after Independent campaign

An Afghan pilot who The Independent fought to be allowed to build a life in Britain, has finally been reunited with his wife and daughter. Holly Bancroft met the young family as they begin to attempt to rebuild their lives after fleeing the Taliban and years of separation

www.independent.co.uk

I didn’t miss out anything, typical, RAF leaves his wife and child behind

 

[Thunder Bolt]

I didn’t miss out anything, typical, RAF leaves his wife and child behind

Er did you actually read the article? He fled to Iran. His wife and child are here. Even the headline reads reunited with family.

Your original post mentioned interpreters, and civilian staff but didn't mention the Afghanistan military.

 

[WATFORD zero]

If they arrive with passports and supporting documentation no problem

Here’s the numbers for you

During Operation Herrick (2003-2014), the British government employed approximately 7,000 local Afghans. Of those, 2,850 worked as interpreters and translators on the frontline, primarily in Helmand province. Additionally, 3,857 Afghan citizens were employed as Locally Employed Civilians (LECs) between 2001 and 2014.

In the UK, for the year 2025, small boat crossings have been on the rise. As of April 28, 2025, over 10,000 people had crossed the English Channel in small boats. This represents an increase of about 40% compared to the same period in 2024. The top five nationalities arriving by small boat in 2024 were Afghans, Syrians, Iranians, Vietnamese, and Eritreans, accounting for 61% of all arrivals.

And some more numbers

Boat Crossings
(Numbers weren't recorded prior to 2018 as the government thought them inconsequential).
2018 - 299
2019 - 1,890
2020 - 8,466
2021 - 28,526
2022 - 45,755
2023 - 29,437
2024 - 36,816

You were told in 2016 that if you voted the way you intended you would drive up 'illegal' immigration. You ignored that because you knew better and were then told again in 2019 that if you voted the way you intended you would drive up 'illegal immigration' but again, you ignored that as you knew better.

And now you're angry because what you have done is quite irresponsibly vote to drive up 'illegal' immigration twice and don't like the consequences.

What are you hoping to get from posting constantly how angry you are as a direct result of your own obstinacy, Sympathy ?

It's like a daily reminder, LOOK, LOOK WHAT I'VE DONE

 

[Deportivo Seagull]

Noted, but people getting excited by 16000 deportations by Labour are failing to mention 23,000 new immigrants have arrived under the Labour stewardship and the numbers are rising, and let’s be frank the timeline from arrival to deportation is what 2/3 years,?

Let’s be frank the reason the time line is that long is due to the backlog caused by the previous governments.
The other issue is building bridges with France after years of ineptitude by the tories. Let’s just say that from what I have heard having a migrant problem suited the tories. Blame the migrants. If they had wanted to fix the problem they would have done so but they didn’t.

 

[Chicken Run]

Let’s be frank the reason the time line is that long is due to the backlog caused by the previous governments.
The other issue is building bridges with France after years of ineptitude by the tories. Let’s just say that from what I have heard having a migrant problem suited the tories. Blame the migrants. If they had wanted to fix the problem they would have done so but they didn’t.

So how long is it acceptable to watch the numbers of those arriving by boats inevitably grow and it then becomes Labour problem?

 

[birthofanorange]

So how long is it acceptable to watch the numbers of those arriving by boats inevitably grow and it then becomes Labour problem?

For you (and I know you won't see this ) it was probably Day 1.

 

[WATFORD zero]

So how long is it acceptable to watch the numbers of those arriving by boats inevitably grow and it then becomes Labour problem?

'Inevitably' ? It's what you wanted and voted for

Even the palace coach driver had the common sense to sneak away quietly rather than stand there shouting 'LOOK WHAT I'VE DONE'

As has been explained numerous times it took you and many others like you eight years to create this. Less than a year later, you have already acknowledged that changes are being made, but not enough is being done quickly enough to clear up this shitstorm you created

 

[Is it PotG?]

Genuine question, why do you believe this to be true even though it’s an urban myth debunked nearly as often as the “Bob Holness plays the saxophone on Baker Street” one?

'Play it again, Sam'

 

[Deportivo Seagull]

So how long is it acceptable to watch the numbers of those arriving by boats inevitably grow and it then becomes Labour problem?

Firstly labour have been in government less than a year so blaming them for the two to three year backlog that was already in place makes zero sense. They are having to clear up the shit left for them.
Secondly, I might come over as pinky commie subversive but I do believe we should have robust immigration controls to counteract human trafficking and criminals entering the country.
Thirdly, it should be a speedy turn round as that would set an example.
Fourth, labour are ahead of the tories for the number of deportations. That what happens when you have lawyer as a PM.
Saying all that blaming labour for Tories f*** ups is piss poor.

 

[WATFORD zero]

Genuine question, why do you believe this to be true even though it’s an urban myth debunked nearly as often as the “Bob Holness plays the saxophone on Baker Street” one?

Definite myth, as my old mate Liam who played drums on the video of Baker Street told me

 

[Faldo]

I imagine there will be quite a few coming over for the Liverpool game, it’s a popular fixture.

I heard there was a strike?

 

[Chicken Run]

Firstly labour have been in government less than a year so blaming them for the two to three year backlog that was already in place makes zero sense. They are having to clear up the shit left for them.
Secondly, I might come over as pinky commie subversive but I do believe we should have robust immigration controls to counteract human trafficking and criminals entering the country.
Thirdly, it should be a speedy turn round as that would set an example.
Fourth, labour are ahead of the tories for the number of deportations. That what happens when you have lawyer as a PM.
Saying all that blaming labour for Tories f*** ups is piss poor.

Yes all duly noted but how long before they own the issue as their’s 3 years, 4 or more?

 

[birthofanorange]

Yes all duly noted but how long before they own the issue as their’s 3 years, 4 or more?

Let's hope it coincides with the time that you accept a little responsibility for your part in it all...yes?

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

'Inevitably' ? It's what you wanted and voted for

Even the palace coach driver had the common sense to sneak away quietly rather than stand there shouting 'LOOK WHAT I'VE DONE'

As has been explained numerous times it took you and many others like you eight years to create this. Less than a year later, you have already acknowledged that changes are being made, but not enough is being done quickly enough to clear up this shitstorm you created

Why does Potty think what you have posted is so funny?

Cultist.

 

[Deportivo Seagull]

Yes all duly noted but how long before they own the issue as their’s 3 years, 4 or more?

f*** knows as I haven’t got the Time Machine out of the garage.
They are ahead of the last fuckwits in less than a year, so I’m hopeful which is a bit annoying as I didn’t vote labour.
I reckon it’ll take around 18 months based on nothing than other than hope.

 

[WATFORD zero]

f*** knows as I haven’t got the Time Machine out of the garage.
They are ahead of the last fuckwits in less than a year, so I’m hopeful which is a bit annoying as I didn’t vote labour.
I reckon it’ll take around 18 months based on nothing than other than hope.

While you have your crystal ball out, can you tell us how long it will take to reverse the next stupid thing Chicken Run does ? No, no clues

 

[WATFORD zero]

Why does Potty think what you have posted is so funny?

Cultist.

I can only assume that he's enjoying Chicken Run's embarrassment and finding it funny ?

He always struck me as fickle and certainly not the sort you'd want alongside you 'in the trenches'

 

[London Irish]

An interesting view from France on the BBC reflecting on yesterday's tragedy in the Channel, where it's felt that "smashing the criminal gangs" won't solve the problem of small boat crossings, which is due to the pull of the UK's poorly-regulated employment market...

"He did condemn the smugglers, but most of his comments focused on the lure of what he views as Britain’s loosely regulated job market, that acts like a magnet, drawing young Eritreans, determined Sudanese, Afghans, Syrians and Iraqis to this coastline, convinced that they if they can just make it across this last, short stretch of water - or even half way across - they’ll end up in a country where they can find work, even without the right paperwork.​

​

In doing so, he touched on a widely-held belief here in France, which is that however much effort is put into tackling the smuggling gangs it will never be enough. That this is a crisis fuelled by the demands of tens of thousands of determined migrants, rather than by the profit-seeking motives of a loose network of criminals."​

​

France sees Channel migrant deaths as a problem of Britain's making

Many in France deeply resent the way their own lives have been transformed by a crisis they see as British-made.

www.bbc.co.uk

​

It's not a perspective I've read before. Is it easier to get work in the UK, without proper credentials, than in other countries?

Right wingers for the past 50 years have demanded a bonfire of the red tape and they have implemented that by winning elections. Of course that means we’re a Wild West certainly compared to somewhere like France