We in Britain should be very worried indeed about the wholesale violation of Spain’s immigration law that has just taken place, with more than 49,000 unlawful migrants entering the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, in North Africa, in a single 24-hour period. This is politically explosive. Italy has already called for the suspension of the Schengen Zone. The British government’s response has been noticeably less robust, with PM Burnham saying this is ‘a matter for the Spanish government first and foremost’ and offering ‘support’. Britain, and other European states, should instead call for Spain to restore order to the EU’s African border, remove those who have entered unlawfully, and prevent them from travelling onward to mainland Europe.
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Toby Young
Professor Arday is the gift that keeps on giving
Britain has a national interest in effective European border security. The entry of unlawful migrants into other European states, in violation of their immigration law, is a threat to us, not least since many of them may later cross the Channel in small boats, entering the UK in violation of our immigration law. In any case, we have an interest, as good neighbours, in citizens of other European states being able to decide for themselves who enters and remains amongst them. And insofar as we for now share a common legal framework, by way of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), we have our own interest in making sure that this body of law is non-disastrous.
