Last week I spent a couple of days abroad away from Westminster to attend a conference with international parliamentarians on security threats posed by China, including some like me sanctioned by the Chinese Government. But domestic politics is never far away and amongst the French delegation was the MP for Calais. I have come up against him on numerous media interviews about the Channel migrant crisis but we have never met in person.
The Channel crossings have exercised many constituents to write to me, and regardless of whether you think the UK is doing enough to help refugees, we are all agreed that paying people smugglers to take one of the most dangerous journeys in the world is the worst way to try to come to this country. Away from the grandstanding in the media it was useful to understand the position of the Republican politicians in France and the dynamics with the French federal government, and we discussed some practical solutions to take back to our respective ministers.
Within a couple of days, we heard the tragic news about the loss of life on the French side of the Channel. Whilst it was a shock, the real surprise is that it had not happened before given the number of crossings. It is also a mark of the professionalism of our Border Force, coastguard and RNLI that to date no lives have been lost in British waters to date. We urgently need to explore further practical solutions with the French and EU before further loss of life inevitably follows.
Before my trip I called into the Co-Op in Upper Shoreham Road to hear about their campaign for tougher penalties against people who abuse and attack retail workers. This is something the Home Affairs Select Committee has been looking at and has recommended tougher penalties especially when shopworkers are enforcing the law on age restricted sales for example which can prompt particularly violent responses. Undoubtedly the situation has worsened during the pandemic with lockdown restrictions, and I was horrified to hear from staff just how commonplace this abuse has become and the impact it has on their own physical and mental health.
In one branch, a security guard brought in to protect staff and challenge shoplifters had been assaulted himself twice within his first week. There really is no excuse for this level of criminal behaviour and I am pleased that Sussex Police have been pioneering new partnership working with retailers to respond urgently and with tougher measures against the perpetrators. Next time you are in a shop being served by a stressed assistant, a smile might go a long way.
