Labour has no benchmark figure for the success of its much-vaunted ‘one in, one out’ migrant deal with France. Yvette Cooper said the pilot should be in operation by the end of the month…
In response to a written parliamentary question asking whether a minimum number of returns would determine if the pilot had been successful, Home Office Minister Angela Eagle refused to answer, saying instead: “We will continuously monitor and evaluate the pilot as it progresses.” Don’t hold your breath…
This week Yvette Cooper couldn’t even guarantee that the first small boat migrant would be returned this month, despite the deal being announced more than four weeks ago. Labour is hoping to send back just 50 a week but will not admit that in public. The scheme’s success depends on the ratio of migrants admitted to those returned. The French have been negotiating the figure down…