✨ One survey. One headline. But perhaps a much bigger conversation is beginning.
The latest polling suggests that more than three in five Britons believe Andy Burnham would be unable to stop the small boat crossings, adding another layer to the UK’s ongoing debate over immigration and political leadership.
More than three in five Britons believe Andy Burnham cannot put a stop to the small boats, new polling has revealed.
In his first days in the role, the new Prime Minister is already facing pressure to tackle the scaling issue of mass illegal migration while hundreds of migrants cross the Channel.
On Wednesday, the second ever mega-dinghy made the perilous 21-mile journey from northern France, packed with 165 illegal migrants.
Now, latest polling from Merlin Strategy from July 22 to July 24 has proved that a measly 18 per cent back Mr Burnham’s bid to stop the boats.
Meanwhile, some 61 per cent believe the Labour leader will be unable to manage the same feat which loomed over the legacy of his predecessor.
On the subject of immigration, 22 per cent of those surveyed said Mr Burnham will be able to address the issue, while 58 per cent cast doubt on the new leader.
In the early hours of Wednesday morning, migrants were spotted chasing to boat a large boat at Equihen-Plage near Boulogne-sur-Mer along northern shores of France.
Then, on Thursday, a record 165 migrants made the crossing in a single boat.
The second ever mega dinghy entered the English Channel
| PA
The number has surpassed the past July record when 128 made the crossing in just one boat.
As big as a bus, the vessel came to around 13m (42ft) long.
Refugee charity Care4Calais warned route is becoming “more and more dangerous” thanks to the number of migrants being balanced on each boat.
Sydney Sopher, chief operations officer, said: “The UK and French Governments have spent years focusing on border security and enforcement, yet all they’ve achieved is to make Channel crossings more and more dangerous.”
