THE GOVERNMENT’S COWARDICE
The RNLI saves lives at sea - but has the wider Channel system become a taxi service that the Government uses to escape responsibility for securing Britain’s border?
THE GOVERNMENT’S COWARDICE
The RNLI faces the storm.....The Government hides behind them.
When an overcrowded dinghy enters dangerous waters, the lifeboat crew answers the call. They risk their own lives to save others, regardless of who they are or how they arrived.
That is courage.
But while the volunteer confronts the waves, ministers crouch safely behind the shield of the RNLI’s honour - hoping that any criticism of their border policy can be dismissed as an attack upon the rescuers.
That is cowardice.
From the French coast, the smuggler shouts:
“Taxi!”
Because that is what this dangerously predictable system has become: a taxi service the Government thinks it can hide behind.
The smugglers launch the boats. The rescue services collect the passengers. Britain receives them. The taxpayer inherits the consequences.
And when the British public asks, “Who defends the border?”, the Government offers no credible answer.
Instead, ministers hide behind the courage and reputation of RNLI volunteers. They may never say the words aloud - but their actions speak clearly enough:
“Shield us from accountability!”
Let us separate two responsibilities that ministers continually confuse:
The duty of the RNLI is to save lives.
The duty of the Government is to defend the border.
Honour the volunteers.
Prosecute anyone who threatens or abuses them.
But do not use their courage to silence legitimate questions about a border system that remains dangerously predictable - and profitable to criminal smugglers.
RNLI volunteers face the danger. The RNLI spends public donations providing a service exploited by ruthless gangs. The smugglers collect their profits - and the Government escapes the blame while waiting ashore with tents, processing centres and welcome packs for the latest arrivals.
