A Labour MP has warned the migrant crisis is “completely unacceptable”, calling on the Government to take drastic action to stop the boats.
Steve Yemm, who has represented Mansfield in Nottinghamshire since July 2024, is calling for Labour to go further, including using return hubs abroad to deter people from making the crossing in the first place.
Speaking to Katherine Forster on Chopper’s Political Podcast, Mr Yemm described the current situation as “completely unacceptable to my constituents”.
The Labour Government replaced former Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s three-word slogan, “Stop the boats”, with its own: “Smash the gangs”.
Yet in 2025, almost 42,000 people have crossed the Channel illegally — up 13 per cent on last year and the third-highest total on record.
Mr Yemm says he understands the fury among voters and is urging ministers “to take stronger action”.
Last summer, he travelled to Washington and says he took away one clear lesson: “Resolute action is really important. Gripping an issue. I think in the United States they got to that point much more quickly. They’ve been able to reduce border crossings on the Mexico border by something like 90 per cent.”
Donald Trump, though highly controversial for his approach to illegal migration, has had what Mr Yemm describes as “spectacular success” on the southern border.
Mr Yemm joined Katherine Forster on Chopper’s Political Podcast
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“We need to learn from the United States about policy grip,” Mr Yemm insists. “This is a national emergency.”
This week, Sir Keir Starmer announced a deal with China to co-operate on cracking down on engines manufactured there and used by smuggling gangs to power inflatable dinghies across the English Channel. The Government says 60 per cent of the engines used originate in China.
It is one of many announcements Labour has made since coming to power, including a one-in, one-out pilot with France, French authorities intercepting boats in shallow waters, and a deal with Germany to prosecute people smugglers.
However, since Labour took office in July 2024, more than 66,000 people have crossed the Channel — giving Sir Keir the worst record of any Prime Minister on this issue.
Mr Yemm explained exactly how he wants to see the migrant crisis tackled
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Many critics argue that while the Government focuses on choking off supply, it is failing to deal with demand.
One of Labour’s first actions in Government was to scrap the Rwanda plan, despite hundreds of millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money having been spent on the scheme, which ultimately saw just four volunteers sent to Africa. Flights had been scheduled to begin in late July — just weeks after the Conservatives were decimated at the general election.
While Mr Yemm insists Labour was right to cancel the plan — saying it “was illegal under UK law, and the Government knew that” — he argues there is still “a strong case” for creating a credible deterrent.
“A third-country return hub is probably going to be an important part of that,” he says. “Whether that’s in Europe, Kosovo, or somewhere else in Central or Eastern Europe, the principle is simple: if you cross the Channel illegally, your asylum claim will be heard somewhere else. And if that claim is granted, it will be in that country.”
He believes such a policy would rapidly reduce crossings.
“If today 300 people cross the Channel and they know their asylum claims will be heard abroad, then tomorrow maybe 100 cross, and they all know the same thing. And by Thursday, the message is clear: if you cross illegally, you will not be staying in the UK. That’s the point at which we actually start to make real progress — just as the United States has.”
Beyond the US, Mr Yemm says Labour should also look closer to home. “There are things we can learn from Europe as well, particularly Denmark.”
He credits the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, with planning firmer action.
But with Reform UK surging in Mansfield — as it is across the country — Mr Yemm knows Labour’s political future depends on delivering results.
He accepts that if Labour fails to get a grip on small boats, voters will punish the party just as they punished the Conservatives.
