British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with his Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni, in Rome on September 16 to discuss strategies for addressing the persistent challenge of illegal immigration, a critical issue for both nations. The meeting came on the heels of a tragic Channel migrant shipwreck that claimed the lives of eight individuals, adding urgency to the ongoing crisis. As Starmer, leader of the centre-left Labour Party, looks to forge new solutions, the discussions in Rome may help shape the UK’s immigration policy moving forward.

Starmer, whose Labour Party won a resounding majority in the July 2024 elections, faces a political landscape deeply affected by the issue of immigration. Illegal crossings across the English Channel from northern France to the UK have long been a contentious problem, and despite various attempts by previous administrations, finding a sustainable solution remains elusive. The tragic loss of eight lives in the Channel on Sunday only served to underscore the urgency of the situation.

The deaths brought the total number of fatalities this year to 46, according to UK authorities, highlighting the perilous nature of the journey undertaken by thousands of migrants hoping to reach British shores. On Saturday alone, nearly 800 people crossed the Channel, marking the second-highest daily figure this year.

Starmer’s challenge is to balance compassion with firm control over immigration, a task that has become even more politically charged following the recent far-right riots that erupted across England and Northern Ireland. The unrest, the worst in the UK since the riots of 2011, saw mosques and migrant accommodation centers targeted, reflecting deep societal tensions around immigration and integration.

One of Starmer’s key political moves since assuming office has been his rejection of the Conservative government’s controversial Rwanda plan. Under that policy, all illegal migrants entering the UK would be deported to Rwanda while their asylum claims were processed, with no chance of returning to Britain even if their claims were successful.

Starmer, however, is looking towards other models, and one scheme in particular has piqued his interest: the immigration approach spearheaded by Italy under the leadership of Giorgia Meloni, head of the far-right Brothers of Italy party. Italy, much like the UK, has been on the frontlines of Europe’s migration crisis, particularly as migrants from North Africa cross the Mediterranean in search of a better life in Europe.

In November 2023, Meloni’s government signed a groundbreaking agreement with Albania. Under the terms of this deal, two migrant processing centers were to be established in Albania, funded and managed by Italy. The centers are designed to accommodate up to 3,000 migrants arriving in Italy by sea while their asylum applications are processed. Crucially, this scheme differs from the UK’s former Rwanda plan in that migrants whose asylum applications are approved can settle in Italy, while those rejected are deported back to their countries of origin.

Starmer is reportedly interested in exploring a similar approach for the UK. “It’s in early days, I’m interested in how that works, I think everybody else is,” he said of the Italian model, in remarks carried by British media. Starmer’s exploration of Meloni’s plan underscores a shift in Britain’s approach to managing illegal immigration, with a greater focus on collaboration with European partners.

One of the key items on the agenda for Starmer’s meeting with Meloni was improving joint operations between the UK and Italy in tackling illegal migration. Both leaders are grappling with the geopolitical complexities of migration, with Italy bearing the brunt of Mediterranean crossings, and the UK dealing with a steady flow of Channel migrants.

Starmer was joined on his trip to Italy by Martin Hewitt, the newly appointed head of the UK’s Border Security Command. This appointment signals a renewed commitment by the UK government to tighten border security and more effectively manage the migration crisis. Hewitt’s presence at the meeting highlights the importance of operational-level cooperation between the two nations, particularly in terms of intelligence sharing, law enforcement coordination, and border control measures.

Starmer and Meloni’s conversation on Monday follows earlier discussions the two leaders have had on the issue. “We have already discussed how we can improve joint operations, so that is something we will discuss further,” Starmer said ahead of the meeting.

One reason for Starmer’s interest in Italy’s migration policy is the marked decrease in the number of migrants arriving in Italy by sea in 2024. According to Italy’s interior ministry, just 44,675 people arrived between January 1 and September 13, a sharp drop from the 125,806 arrivals recorded in the same period in 2023. The Italian government credits this decrease in part to agreements with key transit countries, including Tunisia, which has pledged to step up efforts to prevent migrants from crossing the Mediterranean in exchange for increased aid.

Tunisia has become a key player in Europe’s migration diplomacy, given its position as a primary departure point for migrants attempting to reach Italy. Meloni’s government has also inked deals with other North African nations, promising financial assistance and infrastructure support in exchange for greater cooperation on stemming migrant flows.

For Starmer, the meeting with Meloni offers a glimpse into how other nations are managing the migration crisis and what lessons can be drawn for the UK. The human cost of illegal migration is tragically clear, and the shipwreck in the Channel serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those desperate to reach British shores. Balancing compassion for migrants with the need to control borders and uphold security is a challenge that the Labour government, like many others in Europe, must navigate carefully.

As Starmer returns to the UK, he faces the daunting task of implementing a comprehensive immigration strategy that both addresses the concerns of voters and adheres to humanitarian principles. The discussions in Rome mark an important step in that journey, as the UK looks to its European neighbors for solutions that go beyond the failed policies of the past.

With far-right unrest simmering in the background and tragic deaths in the foreground, the stakes could not be higher. The pressure on Starmer to find a durable, compassionate, and effective solution to the migration crisis will continue to grow, and his government’s success may well depend on the outcomes of these international partnerships.

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