IRIA News

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with his Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni, in Rome on September 16, 2024, to discuss irregular immigration, a pressing issue for both the UK and Italy. The meeting focused on strategies to reduce the arrival of undocumented migrants, an issue that has become politically sensitive in both countries.

Starmer, who leads the left-leaning Labor Party, has faced criticism from his party members for meeting with Meloni, who heads the far-right Brothers of Italy party

Before meeting with Meloni, Starmer expressed a desire to understand Italy’s success in reducing migrant arrivals. The dramatic drop in numbers has garnered international attention, and the UK’s prime minister said he wanted to learn more about the methods behind this.

Starmer toured a national immigration coordination center in Italy with the country’s interior minister, Matteo Piantedosi. This tour allowed him to see firsthand how Italy coordinates its efforts to manage irregular migration.

Since Labor’s election win in July, Starmer has committed to tackling illegal immigration in the UK. However, he has distanced himself from the Conservative government’s controversial plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. Instead, Starmer is exploring alternative solutions, including learning from Italy’s experiences.

Criticism

Starmer’s decision to meet Meloni has stirred criticism from members of his own Labor Party. Meloni, whose party has anti-immigration policies, is regarded as far-right, and her government has been accused of embracing nationalist ideals. Labor MP Kim Johnson, in particular, voiced her concerns about Starmer’s visit, stating it was “disturbing” to see the Labor leader seeking advice from what she referred to as a “neo-fascist government.”

Johnson’s criticism also comes in the wake of far-right riots in the UK, during which mosques and migrant accommodation centers were targeted. These riots have raised concerns about rising tensions around immigration in Britain, and Johnson’s remarks reflect a wider unease within Labour about the direction Starmer is taking on this issue.

Working together, we can deepen security and deliver stability and growth across both of our countries. pic.twitter.com/oYYZIMMbz9

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) September 16, 2024

UK’s migration challenges

Irregular migration is a highly sensitive and divisive issue in British politics. One of the most pressing concerns is the increase in migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats from France. More than 22,000 people have made this dangerous journey in 2024, surpassing the number from the same period in 2023.

Tragically, several migrants have lost their lives attempting the crossing. In one recent incident, a boat carrying around 60 people ran aground, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals. On the same day, 14 boats carrying 801 people managed to reach the UK.

The British government, facing pressure to address the situation, has emphasized the need to combat the criminal gangs that profit from human trafficking. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper defended the government’s approach, explaining that the UK had a “moral imperative” to crack down on these gangs, who are responsible for putting lives at risk.

While Starmer rejected the previous UK government’s Rwanda plan, he has not ruled out processing asylum claims offshore. Italy, for example, has struck an agreement with Albania to house migrants in two centers while their asylum claims are processed. Those whose claims are rejected are sent back to their countries of origin, while those whose applications are accepted are granted entry into Italy.

Meloni’s government has also negotiated deals with Tunisia and Libya aimed at stopping refugees from reaching Italian shores. These agreements include providing aid to Tunisia in exchange for its cooperation in preventing migrants from leaving North Africa to cross the Mediterranean. Italy also renewed a 2017 deal with Libya, under which the Libyan coastguard is funded and trained to intercept migrant boats and return them to Libya.

However, human rights groups have condemned these policies, arguing that they result in refugees being pushed back into Libya, where many face abuse and torture in detention centers.

During his visit to the migrant coordination center, Starmer shared his observations on why Italy has seen a reduction in migrant arrivals. He suggested the decrease was likely due to efforts in the countries where migrants originate.

“I’ve long believed, by the way, that prevention and stopping people traveling in the first place is one of the best ways to deal with this particular issue,” Starmer said. His comments reflect a belief that tackling the root causes of migration, whether through diplomacy or development initiatives, could help reduce the flow of people attempting dangerous journeys to Europe.

According to Italy’s Ministry of the Interior, the number of refugee arrivals by sea dropped significantly in 2024. Between January 1 and September 13, 44,675 people arrived in Italy, a stark contrast to the 125,806 who arrived during the same period in 2023.

Besides the migration crisis, Italian President Meloni and British Prime Minister Starmer also discussed the depth of bilateral economic, cultural, and scientific relations, as well as bilateral ties in the areas of innovation and youth exchanges. Both leaders shared their intention to do more in all sectors.

The leaders of Italy and the UK also discussed the ongoing international crisis, particularly the conflict in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East, the Italian Government said in an official statement.