German Chancellor Friedrich Merz became the second European leader in a week after Emmanuel Macron to voice his dispair over Brexit, and the audience was reminded how it has hampered efforts to tackle small boats
A week ago it was Emmanuel Macron lambasting Brexit and its impact on the UK’s small boats crisis.
This time around it was German Chancellor Friedrich Merz saying he “deplores” the decision to leave the EU. He may not have been as punchy as the French President, but the message was just as clear – it’s been a mess.
Brexit may have been an elephant in the room for some time, but there’s a growing willingness to talk about the way it’s hindered efforts to stop the boats. At a press conference at the Airbus HQ in Stevenage, Mr Starmer dipped his toe into the thorny issue himself as he thanked the German Chancellor for his help.
The penny has finally dropped that if Britain is ever going to tackle the trafficking gangs, it must leave the fighting with Europe behind. Last week there was a new return deal with France – for the first time since leaving the EU. And now Germany has agreed to do more to stop the flow of people trying to reach the UK.
Up to this point this has been hampered by – you’ve guessed it – Brexit, the audience was told. By the end of the year Germany will start raiding warehouses where small boat components are stored. It’s a sign Mr Starmer’s charm offensive with European leaders is paying off.
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