By Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the UK’s Labour Party, has indicated he is open to the possibility of sending migrants to Albania to have their asylum claims processed, marking a significant shift in the party’s approach to immigration policy.
Speaking ahead of a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome, Starmer expressed interest in Italy’s recent deal with Albania, which has contributed to a 62% reduction in migrant arrivals to Italy. “Let’s see. It’s early days. I’m interested in how that works, I think everybody else is,” Starmer said when pressed on whether he would consider a similar scheme.
This potential policy consideration comes just months after Labour criticized and pledged to scrap the Conservative government’s controversial plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing. Starmer’s openness to an Albania-style arrangement suggests a possible realignment of Labour’s immigration stance as the party prepares for a potential general election victory.
Starmer’s Rome visit is part of a broader diplomatic effort to reset relations with European leaders. Illegal migration is expected to be a key topic in his discussions with Meloni, whose government has implemented a series of measures to curb Mediterranean crossings.
Italy’s approach includes deals with Libya and Tunisia to prevent boats from leaving North African shores, restrictions on charity ships picking up asylum seekers, and providing patrol vessels to the Tunisian coastguard. The Italian government reports that these measures have reduced arrivals on its southern coasts to 44,495, compared to 122,823 at the same point last year.
Starmer also highlighted his recent discussions with German leaders about seizing boat engines destined for Channel crossings and talks with French President Emmanuel Macron about enhancing security on France’s northern coast.
The Labour leader’s comments come against the backdrop of ongoing challenges in UK migration policy. Last year, the UK government reportedly paid over 1,000 Albanian offenders ÂŁ1,500 each to leave and return to Albania, in an effort to “discourage and hinder migration.”
As Starmer explores potential new approaches to migration, his party faces the challenge of balancing humanitarian concerns with effective border control. The consideration of an Albania-style processing system represents a significant departure from Labour’s previous stance and could signal a more pragmatic approach to immigration policy as the party positions itself for a potential return to government.
The development has already sparked debate within the Labour Party and among immigration advocates, with some expressing concern about the potential implications for asylum seekers’ rights. As discussions progress, the details of any proposed scheme and its alignment with international law and human rights standards will be closely scrutinized.
