The Left’s position on the migrant crisis is increasingly unsustainable

Stephen Watson, the chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, tells this newspaper that criminal gangs are exploiting the surge in illegal migrants – recruiting arrivals, some as young as 13, lodged in local hotels. Mr Watson describes how even innocent, vulnerable asylum seekers can thus “travel the spectrum from being victims” to “exploiters” themselves. They are “hardly likely to develop [into law-abiding] people”.

The Left’s position on the migrant crisis – that we have to accept the vast increase in numbers and simply find the best accommodation possible – is unsustainable. It is also unethical. They believe that borders are by their very nature unjust, and that the state should tolerate, even facilitate arrivals, limiting its efforts to no-questions-asked humanitarianism.

But this puts an enormous strain on the resources of the host society. Importantly, it is also very bad for migrants themselves – because a dangerous “come one, come all” approach encourages illicit activity. The goal should be a managed asylum process that ensures safe routes for those that need them, and Britain has shown its generosity towards people under immediate threat – including Ukrainians and Hong Kongers.

The UK is not obliged to offer safe haven to those leaving a stable, free society or travelling through several sound democracies to get here.

We need a well-policed system, one that is sustainable and promotes integration. Last week’s separate report that counter-extremism officials are warning Islamists could recruit migrants housed in hotels ups the ante even further: this situation cannot continue.