Unhappy Statistics | SAIGON GIAI PHONG NEWSPAPER

According to data recently updated and published by the UK Home Office , since the beginning of the year, more than 10,170 illegal migrants have crossed the English Channel to reach the UK, an increase of 35% compared to the same period last year. In addition, the number of undocumented migrants arriving by sea to the UK has also reached a record high in the first 5 months of 2024.

The statistics are not very happy for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in the context of his efforts to run for re-election on July 4. The determination to control illegal immigration is one of many important action programs that the leader of the ruling Conservative Party, Mr. Sunak, has put forward to convince voters to vote for him. This is partly seen after Mr. Sunak announced to stop implementing the Rwanda Plan.

Accordingly, the British Government is said to try to conduct the first flight to bring illegal immigrants to Rwanda before the election day to show its commitment to controlling illegal immigration. However, Mr. Sunak recently affirmed that the flights will take off if he is re-elected. Observers said that Prime Minister Sunak's move is a sign that he wants to turn this plan into an important proposal for voters.

The scheme to send illegal immigrants to Rwanda – which has so far cost £240 million (more than $300 million) – is seen as a key dividing line between the ruling Conservative Party and the opposition Labour Party in the election campaign. Labour has pledged to scrap the controversial scheme if it wins the election in early July, calling it a costly and ineffective option. Statistics on the high number of illegal immigrants entering the UK are a “spearhead” for Labour to target the Conservative Party, seeing the ruling party as failing to keep its promises to voters. Labour also won over voters by pledging to crack down on people-smuggling operations that profit from small boat trips.

The situation before the general election is even more worrying for the ruling party when the results of a public opinion poll released by YouGo - a British data analysis and market survey company - on May 25 showed that the opposition Labour Party is leading the Conservative Party by 22%.

PEARL

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/thong-ke-kem-vui-post741873.html