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What is the point of the government’s Rwanda policy?

Letters to the editor: our readers share their views. Please send your letters to letters@independent.co.uk

Sunday 17 December 2023 09:28 EST
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Surely even the dimmest of our politicians don’t actually believe that those coming here in boats are going to be put off by the vanishingly small probability of being deported
Surely even the dimmest of our politicians don’t actually believe that those coming here in boats are going to be put off by the vanishingly small probability of being deported (PA)

It has to be assumed, despite some of the evidence, that those running the country are not stupid. On this basis, we have to ask why they are pushing with such vigour their Rwanda policy. This is supposed to deter would-be migrants by threatening to send them to Rwanda.

Surely even the dimmest of our politicians don’t actually believe that, having risked murder, starvation and separation from family, people who are then prepared to cross the Channel in an overcrowded leaky boat are going to be put off by the vanishingly small probability of being deported to what our government has told us is something of a paradise on Earth. Maybe my initial premise was wrong after all.

G Forward

Stirling

Trump’s rhetoric has gone too far

In relation to “illegal” immigrants, Donald Trump told his supporters at a rally in New Hampshire: “They’re poisoning the blood of our country.” Immigrants are in fact a variety of people, the usual range that exists in all societies. Google tells me that his grandfather emigrated from Germany in 1885 to avoid compulsory German military service (which seems familiar). I wonder how the First Nations saw all of this immigration.

He has spent so long attacking refugees and immigrants that he might not see any difference in them and, although there is probably an exact definition, a simple example would be that immigrants come from any country to one country and the refugees are often from one country fleeing to any country.

The phrase “They’re poisoning the blood of our country” reminds us of the worst of the world, the attack on people of one race, culture or religion based on membership rather than character and behaviour.

Mr Trump, praise the good of the majority rather than condemn the misdeeds of a few.

Dennis Fitzgerald

Melbourne, Australia

The Tories must embrace their failures

Global leaders will query why after 14 years the Tories via Sunak talk of changing laws. How many other leaders do you hear this from?

Accept your policy failure, Sunak, because you are digging one hell of a hole for yourself and your party. You have failed – end of discussion!

Dale Hughes

Address supplied

A diplomatic solution to Ukraine?

There appears to be more debate by our political and military elite about the (to them unthinkable) scenario that Russia could possibly achieve its aims in Ukraine. There is much glamouring about spending billions more in military aid to Ukraine to further the mutual and ruthless destruction.

I often wonder if anybody has ever considered sitting down with Mr Putin to find a political solution. This should have already happened in 2014. After all, considering Nato’s expansion right up to the Russian border, it is not unreasonable for Mr Putin to be concerned.

Gunter Straub

London

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