The upcoming Labour party conference in Liverpool is expected to have a diminished presence from the left, with the centrist wing likely to dominate. Key issues such as the two-child benefit cap and winter fuel allowance will be pushed for votes by the left. Momentum and other grassroots leftwing groups are fighting for seats on the party’s governing body, which now leans towards the centrist faction. Several prominent leftwing MPs are currently suspended from the Labour whip for rebelling on certain issues.
On the other hand, former Conservative immigration minister Robert Jenrick has accused the Labour government of surrendering to people smuggling gangs, highlighting the issue of small boat Channel crossings. Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended the government’s actions and criticized the failed Rwanda deportation scheme. The former head of the British Border Force, Tony Smith, likened tackling people-smuggling to playing “Whac-A-Mole”, emphasizing the need for international efforts.
Meanwhile, Minister Angela Eagle announced that the government will soon appoint the head of a new border security command to combat people smuggling. She acknowledged the difficulty and complexity of tackling criminal gangs but stressed the importance of taking action. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper will chair a summit on Channel smuggling, where intelligence officers and other officials will be present. This comes after a tragic incident where 12 people died trying to cross the Channel.
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