Why Not Cut It From All?

Robert Jenrick has said he would cut off aid from countries that do not take back people who fail in their asylum claims, as part of a package of measures designed to bolster his anti-immigration reputation in the final stages of the Tory leadership race.

Why not promise to junk it all, Robert? It's not as if you'll ever have to make good on the promise, because even if you win, the modern Tory party is a busted flush.

The announcement comes days before Tory members gather in Birmingham for the party’s annual conference, at which Jenrick and his fellow leadership contenders will give speeches and answer questions in what is likely to be a key moment in the race.

But it's hardly going to be as newsworthy as the recent Labour conference, no matter what happens. 

Jenrick said in a statement: “Illegal migration is placing intolerable pressure on our communities and the taxpayer. While the number of people here illegally has ballooned over the last 20 years, deportations have plummeted.

“The government must stop other countries exploiting our generosity by imposing severe visa restrictions and restricting foreign aid to countries that do not take back their nationals here illegally.”

You had 14 years in the Big House, why didn't you do any of this then? If you had, you might not be the Opposition today.