As the government racked up its 500th day in office, reasons to be cheerful were in short supply. According to a new survey ahead of the Budget, public confidence in the economy is now so low that the percentage of Britons who think the nation's finances are in great shape under this administration is… zero.
While Labour struggles to get anything right, it seems particularly inept in its plotting to depose its leader – the one who led them to a historic election victory only 16 months ago. After only a little cajoling, left-wing Labour MP Clive Lewis finally broke ranks and "offered" Andy Burnham his seat so that the mayor of Greater Manchester might challenge Keir Starmer. And yet Lewis's stalking horseplay was outshone by what might yet prove to be the one policy that turns around the government's fortunes: home secretary Shabana Mahmood's raft of 40-odd bold new ideas to overhaul what she described as the "unfair" asylum system and do "whatever it takes" to restore control over immigration.
John Rentoul was particularly taken not only by her policy smörgåsbord, but also her commanding performance in parliament, all of which reminded him of Tony Blair: "A Labour cabinet minister telling the sentimental wing of her own party that it had to face up to some tough decisions if it wanted to deliver compassionate, social democratic policies for the people? I loved it, obviously."
For The Independent's leader column, there were question marks about key measures in the home secretary's "sweeping changes" to the UK asylum system – notably, that asylum seekers might have their assets seized on arrival to mitigate the cost of their bed and board, and the possibility that children of migrants born in the UK might be deported with their parents – but, we concluded, her courage was unmistakable.
"After a difficult few weeks, Ms Mahmood has at last put some fire in Labour's belly. If Sir Keir Starmer has any sense, he will give her a more prominent role in his team. Here is an outspoken politician brimming with confidence, impatient to find solutions to an extremely difficult problem. Some of her solutions may not be perfect, of course, and constructive parliamentary criticism should be focused on ensuring that any legislation is improved before it takes effect."
And how might it all go down with the public at large? Sean O'Grady was concerned that Mahmood's plans to curb small boats might play straight into the hands of Nigel Farage. "The obvious political problem for Mahmood is not just that she finds herself in strange, uncomfortable company, but that whatever she does to the asylum system will never be enough for some in society. Turning to the Donald Trump playbook won't attract the disaffected classes back to Labour, while it will simultaneously alienate the very people Labour should be able to rely on. In other words, you cannot out-Farage Farage himself."
The home secretary's proposals for migration are hardline, but if overhauling our policy is what it takes to restore faith in the asylum system, Britain will be richer for it. According to Tuesday's leader column: "Ms Mahmood has certainly set out some bold plans because, as she puts it, she sees it as a 'moral mission'. She understands that 'illegal migration is tearing our country apart' and 'dividing communities'."
While tough action is needed to bring order to the asylum system – and, it would seem, to steady this Labour administration that has found itself all at sea – those measures cannot include putting migrants' lives at even greater risk. On Wednesday, The Independent broke the story that French authorities are now planning to use fishing nets to deter dinghies attempting to cross the Channel to Britain.
The possibility for tragedy is obvious, and the prospect of a boat carrying several dozen people being lost at sea, its propeller caught up in netting, is monstrous. Our verdict? "If it were possible to ensure that the migrant boats can be disabled and towed back to shore without loss of life, the French, who are being paid by the British government to intercept migrants, would be bound to consider the plan. But it seems unlikely that any such guarantee can be given." You can read Wednesday's leader in full here.
Labour MP Olivia Blake spoke for many in a column for The Independent when she said: "Large nets aren't going to deter the number of small boat crossings. Britain does not need a Labour government that speaks with Nigel Farage's voice. It needs a Labour government that stands up to him, defends human rights, and restores integrity and humanity to our asylum system."
For now, cheer up – it's nearly the Budget. Until next week.
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