Migrants in France have promised to cross the Channel at the “first chance” they get following the Labour Party’s landslide victory.
Migrants in northern France have given Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer ‘Party Krekaran’, a nickname that roughly translates as a man who works for refugees or workers. He confirmed that he had scrapped the Rwanda scheme on his first day.
Some of the migrants said they would risk crossing to the UK in small boats as soon as weather permitted.
However, aid workers said the new incoming party would have little to no impact on the number of crossings, which soared to record highs under the Conservative party.
Starmer has announced he has scrapped the Rwanda Scheme
PA
Most migrants in the Grand-Synthe camp, near Dunkirk were delighted after being informed of the General Election results.
Amir, 23, a bean-seller from Kurdistan, told The Telegraph: “We are calling [Sir Keir] ‘Party Krekaran’ because we have heard that this guy is really helpful to the refugees.”
He added that he would make the crossing: “as soon as possible…It’s really good for us. We were really nervous in our countries to travel all the way here and get sent back. We no longer live in fear of them sending us to Rwanda. I’ve seen a couple of documentaries, and Rwanda is not the best place.”
Halmat Ali, 31, from Iraq paid £3,900 to a smuggler to facilitate the crossing to Britain. He said: “I like Labour Government. I will cross at first chance. They give me hope. I will cross on Sunday when [the] weather is better.”
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Migrants in Grand Synthe near Dunkirk, France (file pic)
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Home Office figures showed that a record number of migrants crossed the Channel in the first six months of the year, despite the supposed deterrent of the Rwanda scheme.
A 48-year-old from Turkey said: “I don’t want to go to Rwanda. I want to go to England. New Government makes me happy. When weather is good, we try. It’s difficult.”
Nally Hussain 25, from Kurdistan, said: “I can’t explain how I feel, it’s so good. We are not stopping for new Government.”
Biruk Siyume, 17, who arrived in the camp after travelling two and a half years from Ethiopia said: “It’s better [a new Government]. I hope the Labour Party win. I’m excited about a new Government. The first important point for me is the cancelling of [the] Rwanda plan.
However, one volunteer from a major aid organisation was more sceptical that a change of Government would impact migrants’ motivation to cross.
He said: “I’m not sure it will change anything about people’s ideas about crossing. We have to understand why they cross – it’s because they cannot get asylum in France.
“I don’t think they care about the elections. The conditions are much better in the UK than Europe for asylum seekers.”
Volunteer for the organisation Amis Eve Marie Dubiez said: “They don’t see the nuances, because the structures and the Government are still working for a while. Over time, when they have news from people being treated, then they will [go].”
