Sign up to receive free updates on UK politics and stay informed with the latest news by subscribing to our myFT Daily Digest email. Get the newsletter delivered straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Good morning! Unfortunately, six individuals lost their lives in the Channel over the weekend. I apologize for starting the week on a somber note, but it’s important to address the issue at hand. The problem with “deterrence” as a method to tackle the small boats issue is that people are already risking their lives to cross the busiest shipping lane in the world. Sending them elsewhere or increasing labor market enforcement will not significantly alter this calculation. The Home Office’s ill-conceived social media campaign, which used fear tactics to discourage asylum seekers from attempting to reach the UK, exemplified this. Ultimately, the government’s track record in policy implementation, along with the state of the economy, determines election outcomes. No amount of themed weeks can change that. Moving on to other topics, last week was focused on small boats, while this week is dedicated to the NHS. These themed weeks are meant to demonstrate the government’s control over these issues and align with public opinion. However, it’s clear that the government’s approach to small boats is lacking, as daily crossing attempts have not decreased, and there seems to be no serious plan to address this before the election. This lack of progress undermines public trust in the Conservative party’s ability to handle immigration. Meanwhile, the NHS has its own set of challenges, and the Conservative party’s attempt to describe waiting list reductions as “virtual elimination” only exposes a weak spot that Labour can exploit. The Conservatives have historically struggled to gain an advantage on the NHS, despite their long-standing involvement. These themed weeks are ultimately distractions from the government’s real responsibility, which is delivering tangible results. Opposition parties focus on rhetoric because it’s their only recourse, while a responsible government should prioritize action and tangible achievements. There is a better approach available, but that’s a discussion for another day. On a personal note, I had a relaxing week off, thanks to the recommendations and support from all of you and my colleagues who filled in admirably. Despite being in a different location, my weekends are still dedicated to reading the FT Weekend and enjoying the insightful articles from our talented journalists. Today’s top stories include Northern Ireland’s pro-UK party seeking a parliamentary recall due to the leak of personal details of police officers, the changing perspective of Britain’s middle class consumers amid income squeezes, and the blame game surrounding the evacuation of migrants from the UK’s first asylum barge. If you’re interested in more remarkable journalism, I highly recommend signing up for our One Must-Read newsletter. Additionally, stay up to date with the latest developments as the UK adjusts to life after Brexit by subscribing to our Britain after Brexit newsletter.
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