During the Monday visit to Italy by the newly installed British prime minister, Keir Starmer, an unusual moment unfolded when he pressed Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for her so‑called recipes to curb irregular immigration. The scene occurred on the margins of their bilateral meeting, amid a broader discussion about Europe’s toughest migration challenges and the policies each government pursues. Starmer described the exchange as pragmatic, insisting that the two leaders shared a common goal: to understand how Italy achieved a dramatic reduction in irregular migration and to learn from its approach, even as the two countries navigate very different political climates.
“Italy has achieved a dramatic drop in illegal immigration, and I want to understand how it happened”, Starmer said on the sidelines of the talks. He framed the encounter as a practical step in a broader dialogue about border security and humanitarian responsibilities. He added, not with grand rhetoric but with a straightforward tone, that they share the objective of ending the cruel business that pushes people across borders, a phrase used to describe the exploitative networks that profit from displacement. The moment drew attention not only for its specifics but for the cross‑channel tensions it underscored about how to address migration in Europe today.
In response, several members of Starmer’s own party publicly questioned the propriety of seeking guidance from a government perceived by many as harsh on migration. Some Labour MPs argued that the exchange risked exposing the British position to criticism from opponents who view Meloni’s administration as far right and unduly restrictive in its asylum policies. The controversy highlighted internal debates about how Britain’s role in Europe should be framed as migration policy becomes a point of partisan contention in domestic politics.
Refugees in Albania
Following Starmer’s remarks, Foreign Secretary David Lammy joined the conversation with his own observations. He indicated that the United Kingdom might be interested in the controversial center for identifying and expelling migrants rescued in the Mediterranean that Meloni plans to open in Albania. The plan, which has been the subject of international debate, is viewed by supporters as a way to process asylum requests more efficiently, while critics warn that it could undermine asylum rights and expose people to unsafe conditions or arbitrary detention. Lammy’s comments suggested London was weighing how such a center would fit with its own commitments to human rights and international law, even as technical questions about feasibility and funding persisted.
Lammy stated that the British government is examining this approach as a possible framework for handling asylum applications, even though the project has faced months of delays and has become a focal point for concerns raised by human rights groups and international observers. Critics argue that opening or operating such facilities could set troubling precedents and complicate the obligations under international refugee law. The conversation reflected a broader debate about whether soft borders or hard demarches can deliver humane outcomes without sacrificing legal protections for those seeking safety.
In the Crosshairs
Within this murky policy landscape, organizations advocating for migrants’ rights have sharpened their scrutiny. Human Rights Watch has warned that refusing to bring rescued migrants to the nearest Italian port undermines lifesaving duties at sea and compromises asylum protections and freedom from arbitrary detention. The organization has argued that such a stance could erode the core norms of international rescue operations and place vulnerable people at greater risk. The Vatican has echoed similar concerns, noting that policies perceived as punitive could lead to greater suffering rather than safer, more humane outcomes for those in peril at sea.
The political climate in Italy provides additional context. UK interest arrives at a moment when high‑level Italian officials and lawmakers are under legal scrutiny for their hardline stance on irregular migration. Matteo Salvini, the leader of the Liga and a minister, faces charges alleging abuse of power and the kidnapping of migrants for blocking a rescue vessel operated by Open Arms in 2019. The legal cases amplify the sensitivity of any outside commentary on Italy’s migration approach and complicate the optics of British engagement on the issue. The evolving dynamic between the two governments underscores how migration policy can become a flashpoint in European politics, where domestic legal processes and international expectations intersect in complex ways.
Observers note that the UK’s curious level of interest in the Italian case comes at a time when Europe is grappling with questions about asylum, border controls, and the balance between humanitarian obligations and national security. The debates in London and Rome alike are shaping how asylum policies may be framed in the months ahead, with lawmakers watching closely to see whether cooperation translates into concrete, lawful actions that protect vulnerable people while addressing concerns about irregular arrivals and trafficking networks.