Keir Starmer speaks on illegal migration at European Summit

The Prime Minister said the summit in Woodstock was an opportunity to “set a new path on illegal migration” and say “no more” to the “crisis” of people smuggling.

Speaking at the opening plenary, the Prime Minister said: “It is now I think a crisis.

“As we speak, as we gather here, a criminal empire is at work in every country represented here today, profiting off human misery and desperation, prepared to send infants, babies, pregnant mothers, innocent people to their deaths.

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“And last week four more souls, and actually last night another one, were lost in the waters of the English Channel – a chilling reminder of the human cost of this vile trade.

“This summit is an opportunity to set a new path on illegal migration, to transform the way that we work together on border security and law enforcement and to say together ‘no more’.

"And in the UK, our new border security command will work in partnership with you.

"We must combine our resources, share intelligence, share tactics, shut down the smuggling routes, and smash the gangs.”

Sir Keir said the “root causes” driving people from their homes, such as conflict, climate change and extreme poverty also needed to be addressed.

Sir Keir Starmer said the first task of the European Political Community is to “confirm our steadfast support for Ukraine” as he opened the summit.

“Every day Ukraine fights affects not just the Ukrainian people, but the European people. A continent where our belief in freedom, democracy and the rule of law was hard won and that wants to live in peace.”

President of France Emmanuel Macron during the opening plenary at the European Political Community summit at Blenheim Palace. (Image: Kin Cheung)

He said he was struck by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s comments at Nato that Ukraine needs more air defence before children go back to school.

“And that really struck me because returning to school after the summer break, that should be a moment of joy, of excitement for children – new uniforms, new exercise books, seeing how much their friends have grown over the summer holidays and reuniting with friends.

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“How could anyone consider that a target? So our first task here today is to confirm our steadfast support for Ukraine, to unite once again behind those values that we cherish and to say we will face down aggression on this continent together.”

Sir Keir Starmer vowed that his Government “will never withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights”.

Sir Keir Starmer with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky (Image: Stefan Rousseau)

Speaking about co-operation on tackling illegal migration, the Prime Minister told the European Political Community summit’s opening plenary: “We are resetting our approach here.

“This Government will not commit taxpayer money to gimmicks. We are here to serve our country in the national interest in pursuit of solutions that will actually deliver results.

“And more than that, we will approach this issue with humanity and with a profound respect for international law.

“And that’s why we scrapped the unworkable Rwanda scheme on day one. And it’s why we will never withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights.”

European leaders pose for a photo outside Blenheim Palace (Image: Carl Court/PA Wire) Sir Keir Starmer concluded his opening plenary speech by pledging to be a “friend and a partner” to European allies.

Speaking at the opening plenary of the European Political Community summit, the Prime Minister said: “It is a pleasure today on behalf of my country to extend a hand to all of you, to say that under my leadership, Britain will be a friend and a partner ready to work with you.

“Not part of the European Union, but very much part of Europe. Not focused on the differences between us, but on the values that we share. United by our determination to defend them and certain about what we can achieve together.”