Keir Starmer to Hold Emergency Small Boats Crisis Talks with Macron and Meloni Amid Migrant Surge

Sir Keir Starmer is heading to the G7 summit in Canada with a major priority on his agenda tackling the ongoing crisis of small boat crossings in the English Channel. The Prime Minister confirmed he plans to hold talks with the leaders of France, Germany, and Italy, urging stronger action to stop the steady flow of migrants making the dangerous journey to the UK.

The issue has taken on fresh urgency, with figures now showing migrant arrivals via small boats are already outpacing the numbers seen under the previous Tory government. It’s a growing concern for both the British public and the government, as pressure mounts for a solution that actually works, reported GB News.

Starmer told reporters during the flight to Canada that his government has been working hard to improve cooperation with France, especially in northern regions where many of these crossings begin. “One of the things we’ve worked hard at is improving the relations with the French in relation to the work we both need to do to stop these boat crossings, which I’m determined we will absolutely bear down on,” he said.

He didn’t mince his words either, making it clear he believes the crossings are both dangerous and unacceptable. “Nobody should be making that journey,” he added.

Despite talk of greater cooperation, the UK government has faced criticism after recent footage appeared to show French police doing little to stop migrants climbing into dinghies on northern French beaches. That video sparked fresh calls for France to do more to stop the boats before they hit British waters.

Still, Starmer seemed confident that the relationship with France is improving. “As a result of that, we are seeing a much greater cooperation in northern France,” he said. “It’s an issue that I have raised and will raise again with President Macron.”

It’s not just Macron on his list. Starmer confirmed he’ll be discussing the issue more widely with European allies while at the summit. “We have good relations between the Home Secretary and the Interior Minister now that we’re working on jointly,” he said, referring to cooperation between the UK and France at ministerial level.

He added that the Channel crossings are one of the key issues he plans to bring up not only with Macron, but also with Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Germany’s new Chancellor Friedrich Merz. “It’s one of the issues I’ll be discussing – not just with Macron, actually, but discussing it with Giorgia Meloni, Friedrich Merz, and others,” he confirmed.

The PM’s push for a coordinated approach highlights just how serious the situation has become. With more boats arriving, greater risks to life, and questions swirling over who’s really doing what to prevent it, there’s clearly a long road ahead. But as Starmer takes his concerns to the G7 table, many back home will be watching closely to see if real change is finally on the horizon.

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