Lee Anderson slams ‘clueless’ Labour MP in unlawful migrant debate | Politics | News | EUROtoday

Lee Anderson has blasted a newly-elected Labour MP as “clueless” for his response when challenged on how the federal government may cease prison gangs sending unlawful migrants to the nation in small boats.

The bombastic Reform UK MP had little time for the assertions of Labour MP Fred Thomas because the pair clashed throughout a panel dialogue on unlawful migration in Westminster Hall.

Mr Thomas, who now represents Plymouth Moor View after ousting ex-Tory veterans minister Johnny Mercer on July 4, opened his remarks by echoing a really acquainted line from the brand new Labour administration of blaming the earlier authorities for all their issues.

During an extended speech he stated his occasion had come into “government nine weeks ago and inherited a dire situation from the outgoing Conservative Government”.

The 32-year-old former Royal Marine spoke concerning the tragedy of unlawful migrant crossings highlighting the horrific deaths of 12 individuals final week “including six children and a pregnant woman”.

He added: “Sadly, the one set of people who do not care about that loss of life is the smuggling gangs who are responsible for putting people on those terribly overcrowded boats.

“That is why, to deal with the small boats disaster at its supply, we should smash the prison gangs.”

At this remark Mr Thomas gave way to Mr Anderson, the Reform UK MP for Ashfield, who offered his own withering assessment of Labour’s “smash the gangs” rhetoric.

He said: “We preserve listening to this slogan, ‘smash the gangs’.

“Does the honourable Member not realise that when a gang is smashed, there are another 20 gangs ready to take that gang’s place and carry on the people smuggling?

“I’m certain that he’ll agree that what we want on this nation is a deterrent that stops individuals wanting to return right here within the first place.”

Seemingly not wanting to address the question of a deterrent, Mr Thomas responded: “For me, the UK is the perfect nation on the planet; I don’t suppose we should always make our nation a much less good place in order that fewer individuals need to come right here. That just isn’t the path to go down.”

Taking to the social media site X later and sharing a video of their exchange, Mr Anderson wrote: “State A This. This is me difficult a clueless Labour MP.”