Tom Tugendhat Proposes Naval Action to Combat Illegal Migration, Echoes Historic Fight Against Slavery

Tom Tugendhat Suggests Using Navy to Combat Illegal Immigration, Echoing Anti-Slavery Tactics

Tom Tugendhat referenced the historical expenditure of the Royal Navy's West Africa Squadron, which was 2% of GDP—today amounting to £50bn. However, his supporters clarified that the potential leader does not propose spending this amount.

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Tuesday, August 27, 2024, 10:

Tory leadership hopeful Tom Tugendhat believes a campaign as vigorous as the one to end slavery is necessary to halt illegal migration.

Mr. Tugendhat is among six candidates vying to succeed Rishi Sunak, with the competition concluding in November.

The most recent statements from Mr. Tugendhat were initially covered by The Times after they acquired a recording of his speech delivered to the Chelsea and Fulham Conservatives association on August 14.

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The report states that Mr. Tughendhat remarked, "Thousands of lives are being lost to human trafficking, which is being exploited by the Kremlin and its allies. The UK needs to demonstrate the same resolve and dedication to eradicating this vile business as it did to combatting slavery.

"It's crucial for our armed forces to take action against this danger.

Fatalities in the Channel, the Mediterranean, and the Sahara underscore the cruelty of the traffickers.

Individuals loyal to Vladimir Putin are reportedly manipulating people by transporting them into Belarus and subsequently forcing them across the borders into NATO nations such as Poland and Lithuania.

"It's crucial that we support our partners and safeguard the borders of Europe, both on land and at sea, by sending naval and military units to defend our territory and discourage this harsh trafficking."

Strong leadership is crucial in our battle against human traffickers who threaten our border security. During my tenure as security minister, I initiated projects targeting these traffickers, employing a strategic and intelligence-driven strategy.

Today, our national security requires the same dedication that was demonstrated by the Royal Navy's West Africa Squadron nearly two centuries ago in their battle to end slavery.

"The instruments may differ, yet the objective persists – human trafficking is a horrendous crime, and we need to approach it with determination and commit to sustainable solutions, rather than the temporary fixes proposed by Labour."

Sir Keir Starmer has consistently criticized the former administration, which included Mr. Tugendhat, for its reliance on temporary, superficial political solutions.

For further reading: Labour's detention strategy unlikely to halt small boat crossings. 'Unprecedentedly dire' situations reported at detention facility. Who are the candidates in the Conservative Party leadership contest?

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In his address, Mr. Tugendhat highlighted that the operations of the West Africa Squadron to combat slavery represented a financial burden of 2% of GDP, equivalent to approximately £50 billion annually in current terms.

Supporters of the MP clarified that his comments were highlighting the significance of the intention behind the actions, not advocating for a rise in expenditure.

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Mr. Tugendhat expressed his frustration, stating: "I am tired of the notion that opposing illegal migration is somehow immoral or objectionable."

Here's what's truly appalling and unacceptable: allowing fatalities in the Channel due to unlawful migration; accepting the thousands who perish in the Mediterranean; ignoring the potential tens or even hundreds of thousands of lives lost in the Sahara, along with numerous other locations.

"That's the unacceptable and reprehensible part, and that's why I'm putting an end to it. The ethical course of action is to halt the unlawful trafficking of people."

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