Newly released files in the UK reveal that in 2003, the Tony Blair government contemplated radical policies to address the escalating issue of illegal immigration. Documents from the National Archives shed light on a critical juncture when then-Prime Minister Tony Blair grappled with the challenge of asylum seekers attempting to breach Eurostar fences to enter the UK.
The urgency heightened within Blair’s administration as images of asylum seekers scaling barriers circulated, prompting the consideration of unconventional measures. Among the disclosed files is a document titled “Asylum: The Nuclear Option,” presented to Tony Blair in January 2003. This document explored the possibility of deviating from international norms by endorsing safe havens in third countries and establishing a detention center on the Isle of Mull.
The released records provide insight into the circumstances leading to the contemplation of such drastic asylum measures. Blair’s frustration with the increasing numbers of asylum seekers in the UK was palpable, and by December 2002, he expressed the need for “even more radical measures” to address the situation.
07/03/2023. London, United Kingdom. The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak Holds a Press Conference on the Small Boats bill at No.9 Downing Street. Picture by Rory Arnold / No 10 Downing Street
Interestingly, parallels can be drawn between the current debates in the UK under Rishi Sunak and “Stop the Boats” with similar proposals under discussion today.
However, a key distinction arises between the earlier ideas and current initiatives, particularly the Rwanda scheme. In the past, asylum seekers were still expected to apply directly to Britain rather than seeking refuge in a third country like Rwanda.
