A post using a fake AI image removed

12 hours ago, RayC said:

Which would break the recently agreed trade deal and almost certainly lead to a breakdown in diplomatic relations - not just with France but with the EU as a whole - and, almost certainly, the imposition of trade sanctions.

 

The French are breaching regulations every day by allowing dinghies to leave French Shores that are non SOLAS compliant.

 

The are also breaching French Laws every day, by allowing dinghies to Leave French Shores, because in France it is an offence to helm a boat over 6HP without a licence,

 

When the reach UK waters that offence becomes even bigger, because in UK waters it is an offence to helm a boat carrying more than twelve passengers without a Boat Master's Licence.

 

And the mentalism continues

 

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Progress that evaded the last Government:

 

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jul/10/starmer-one-in-one-out-deal-allow-uk-return-small-boat-migrants-france

 

Up to 2000 arriving a week, returning a maximum of 50 a week is apparently progress.

 

Pssssssssst - Up to 50 out and another 50 in to replace them

 

Mentalism at its finest. And on display for everyone to see.

11 hours ago, geisha said:

Since Brexit and the Human rights law in EUrope UK can’t send them back to France.  Hopefully from today , it’s all sorted with Macron and a new strategy. The Admiral of the British army / navy, not sure, is going to make announcement tomorrow, Friday.

If it’s was legal, the UK would have shipped them back to France many years ago. 

I will believe it, IF AND WHEN it ever happens. Until then, it is simply a politicians word, and not even a politicians promise which are both worth the same. SFA

3 hours ago, The Cyclist said:

 

The French are breaching regulations every day by allowing dinghies to leave French Shores that are non SOLAS compliant.

 

The are also breaching French Laws every day, by allowing dinghies to Leave French Shores, because in France it is an offence to helm a boat over 6HP without a licence,

 

When the reach UK waters that offence becomes even bigger, because in UK waters it is an offence to helm a boat carrying more than twelve passengers without a Boat Master's Licence.

 

Even if that is the case, do you think that  would justify Lee Anderson's proposal that the UK stop French trawlers fishing in UK waters or BarraMarra suggestion that the RN effectively blockage French ports? Do you think that either action will happen? 

 

Rhetorical questions: The answer is 'No'.

3 minutes ago, RayC said:

Even if that is the case,

 

There is no if's about it. That is French and British Law and under SOLAS the French have an obligation to stop any vessel not complying with SOLAS to be stopped from proceeding.

 

I have gave you enough information and you can look them up for yourself.

 

I did not mention Lee Anderson or BarraMarra

 

I simply responded to this

 

3 hours ago, The Cyclist said:

Which would break the recently agreed trade deal

 

A trade deal pales into insignificance when both Countries are ignoring their respective Laws and France is also ignoring an International Maritime Agreement.

 

 

 

When a country pays another country to do a job, shouldn't it discuss with the country being hired what the money should or should not be used for? Being specific at the beginning would allow the UK to say, "Wot? Guarding the Italian border? Pay that amount back to us."

Why couldn't they agree that France needs to patrol their beaches in four-wheel drives to catch people before they get into the boats, and have offshore vessels pick up any boats full of people before they get across half the distance to the UK. 

The problem is, handing over cash to the French is asking for trouble without setting goals and stating what is expected from the beginning. The French are clearly taking the p*ss. Brexit might mean they don't have to worry about what the Brits want any more, but a deal's a deal.

1 hour ago, RayC said:

 

Even if that is the case, do you think that  would justify Lee Anderson's proposal that the UK stop French trawlers fishing in UK waters or BarraMarra suggestion that the RN effectively blockage French ports? Do you think that either action will happen? 

 

Rhetorical questions: The answer is 'No'.

 

No need for RN vessels to enter French waters, as long as the French navy does the same. Just stop this insane taxi service. As the initial escorts, the French are responsible for the boats and people, who only make it as far as France because of the abused EU freedom of movement "pillar".

 

 

 

35 minutes ago, nauseus said:

 

No need for RN vessels to enter French waters, as long as the French navy does the same. Just stop this insane taxi service. As the initial escorts, the French are responsible for the boats and people, who only make it as far as France because of the abused EU freedom of movement "pillar".

 

 

That's not the point.

 

If the RN was to station vessels on the edge of French territorial waters effectively mounting a blockage and policing what boats were able to leave French ports, do you think that the French authorities would be happy and take no action? The issue would quickly escalate.

 

I agree that the abuse of the EU freedom of movement provision makes it easier for illegal migrants to move around mainland Europe. Imo Merkel must shoulder much of the blame. Opening the door to illegal migrants in 2015 was well-meaning, but sent all the wrong messages and has proven to be catastrophic for Europe.

1 hour ago, The Cyclist said:

 

There is no if's about it. That is French and British Law and under SOLAS the French have an obligation to stop any vessel not complying with SOLAS to be stopped from proceeding.

 

I have gave you enough information and you can look them up for yourself.

 

I did not mention Lee Anderson or BarraMarra

 

I simply responded to this

 

 

A trade deal pales into insignificance when both Countries are ignoring their respective Laws and France is also ignoring an International Maritime Agreement.

 

 

It is up to France how they police and enforce their national laws.

 

If France is breaking international law/ agreements then presumably there is a court/ organisation responsible for arbitrating/ passing judgement on any disputes. The UK could therefore raise the matter to this entity(ies) if it wished. 

 

As I'm sure you'll agree, the UK economy has enough problems without creating more unnecessary strife for itself. In no way, does putting at risk a trade deal with our biggest partner pale into insignificance in this context. 

 

No you didn't mention Lee Anderson or BarraMarra, but those were the two proposals which I commented on initially and were therefore central to my point.

10 minutes ago, RayC said:

t is up to France how they police and enforce their national laws.

 

So Two Tier application of Laws is a real thing, and according to you, totally acceptable.

 

Magnificent.

 

 

22 minutes ago, The Cyclist said:

 

So Two Tier application of Laws is a real thing, and according to you, totally acceptable.

 

Magnificent.

 

 

 

If you are that bothered about how national laws are administered in France, I'm certain that there are processes for addressing such concerns.

14 minutes ago, RayC said:

 

That's not the point.

 

If the RN was to station vessels on the edge of French territorial waters effectively mounting a blockage and policing what boats were able to leave French ports, do you think that the French authorities would be happy and take no action? The issue would quickly escalate.

 

I agree that the abuse of the EU freedom of movement provision makes it easier for illegal migrants to move around mainland Europe. Imo Merkel must shoulder much of the blame. Opening the door to illegal migrants in 2015 was well-meaning, but sent all the wrong messages and has proven to be catastrophic for Europe.

 

I'm not sure that you got my point. If RN vessels did not enter French waters then they would not be blocking (nor blockading) anything. They would be in home waters and at least 12 miles from any French port. Of course they would have the right to monitor any vessel approaching UK waters.

 

I'm happy that we can agree on something for a change. This activity might already be catastrophic and is not sustainable in so many ways.

1 hour ago, RayC said:

 

If you are that bothered about how national laws are administered in France, I'm certain that there are processes for addressing such concerns.

 

Let me just quote you

 

2 hours ago, RayC said:

That's not the point.

 

I think the normal term is QED.

 

Bunnet

6 hours ago, The Cyclist said:

 

There is no if's about it. That is French and British Law and under SOLAS the French have an obligation to stop any vessel not complying with SOLAS to be stopped from proceeding.

 

I have gave you enough information and you can look them up for yourself.

 

I did not mention Lee Anderson or BarraMarra

 

I simply responded to this

 

 

A trade deal pales into insignificance when both Countries are ignoring their respective Laws and France is also ignoring an International Maritime Agreement.

 

 

 

You may be right, but it's impossible to stop all boats. After they stop and size one, the same people try again another day with another boat until it works.

10 hours ago, candide said:

You may be right, but it's impossible to stop all boats.

 

£700 million and 200,000 many fighting age males since 2018 suggests that France have been extracting the urine.

 

UK Governments, both Labour and Tory are not free of blame either.

 

Spineless reptiles of Politicians everywhere.