Nigel Farage, the former leader of the Brexit Party, can claim historical credit for the country's departure from the European Union but, now that the deed is done the populist campaigner has turned his sights to another inflammatory cause.
A torrent of YouTube videos from the former commodities broker has sought to stoke anger over the dinghy trips taken by many of the young migrants and refugees crossing the English Channel from France to the UK.
In shorts and striped shirts, Mr Farage has used the Channel as a backdrop to demand that London seals its borders to the continent and squash the annual summer spike in numbers. He has gone to hotels commandeered during the Covid-19 pandemic for housing new arrivals and confronted the staff. He has driven around coastal regions, giving back seat monologues as he searches for the "invasion".
In doing so, Mr Farage has made common cause with a swell in support from the far-right over the issue.
With the white cliffs of Dover looming in the background, “Captain” Samuel Cochrane vents his frustration at the water “taxis” that he says are taking people illegally to Britain.
A member of the far-right group Britain First, Mr Cochrane is referring to the vessels that rescue migrants and refugees from the small rubber dinghies they so often use to cross the 20-mile stretch of English Channel from Calais.
He is a former member of the Royal Navy but the title of captain is self-generated; he’s the unofficial commander of a Britain First patrol set up to stop the surge in the illegal entries into the UK by way of the Channel this year.
With more than 1,200 people having made the crossing in August alone – a monthly record – and nearly 4,500 so far this year, the Conservative government has been forced to ramp up its operations to stop migrants attempting the dangerous route.
Many are from Syria, Iran and Afghanistan and have a legitimate claim to asylum. Yet their crossings provoke anger in some quarters because they are leaving a safe country in France to seek it.
Groups such as Britain First are widely reviled in the UK but the underlying theme that agitates them is not. Even in the halls of Westminster, there is disgruntlement with 25 MPs from the ruling Conservative party describing the rise as an invasion.
There are fears that if Boris Johnson’s government does not take a strong enough stance on what many see as a legitimate issue, extremists could be empowered and given a platform for much more sinister views than they have expressed in the debate over illegal immigration.
Jack Buckby is a counter-extremism researcher and former member of the British National Party, an organisation widely regarded as fascist and a progenitor of Britain First.
Mr Buckby, who has since repudiated his former views, was drawn into the BNP as a teenager from a working-class background over immigration concerns.
He fears that a failure by the government to produce some sort of resolution could enable neo-Nazis to weaponise the issue.
“As long as this issue is dismissed by high-profile politicians and maybe people in the press, then what that does is make the issue untouchable and it gives legitimacy to genuinely extreme groups who will use it as propaganda,” he said.
“What’s scary about that is that if they can present themselves as right on this issue, illegal migrants coming over the Channel for instance, they can present themselves as right on other things. Jewish conspiracy theories and so on.”
The migration issue is not new to the UK – it played a key role in the Brexit debate and the Conservatives have long boasted about "taking back control" of the country’s borders.
A YouGov poll of 3,163 British adults conducted earlier this month found that only 44 per cent had a great deal or fair amount of sympathy for the migrants trying to cross the Channel.
Dr William Allchorn, of Leeds University, says that activists – including supporters of prominent far-right campaigner Tommy Robinson – have been opportunistic in seizing upon the migrant surge, which they describe on messaging services such as Telegram as an invasion.
Mr Allchorn views them as opportunistic, looking to pounce on issues beyond that of Brexit – whether migration-related or not – after the Conservative government succeeded in taking the UK out of the EU.
“It’s been interesting since the Black Lives Matter moment back in the early summer because a lot of the language has been of a more racialised tone, moving away from this anti-Islam focus and towards more talking about ‘White Lives Matter’,” said Mr Allchorn, who is the associate director at the Centre for Analysis of the Radical Right.
He observed that white supremacists mobilised – often via Telegram – to form counter demonstrations to the Black Lives Matter movement earlier this year.
“Their ultimate position or goal, whether stated or not, is to repatriate migrants back to their country of origin.“ Mr Allchorn said. “There is a seed of this in the UK government’s plan to rebuff migrants back to France but far-right extremists go further, taking it to a more pure and extreme ultimate end.”
The advocacy group Hope not Hate warned this week of the rise of Patriotic Alternative, an organisation launched in September last year, which is accused of anti-Semitism, white nationalism and fascism. It is led by Mark Collett, a former head of publicity at the BNP, who has praised Adolf Hitler.
While small in size, Patriotic Alternative has succeeded in bringing disparate groups together under one banner in only a short period of time and on 9 August held a day of action to mark International Indigenous People’s Day. Along with organisations such as Britain First and the BNP, it has criticised the Conservative government and accused it of “actively aiding and abetting the invasion of Britain”.
"The British people have no voice and no representation in any faction of the ruling establishment, which remains totally committed to our displacement and destitution," it said.
Recalling his own days in the BNP, Mr Buckby said that far-right groups are not using extraordinary tactics but they can very easily lure people to their cause.
“For as long as they are able to capitalise on those issues, they will continue recruiting and growing. It becomes part of the process,” he said.
“That was what happened to me. I got pulled into the BNP when I was 15, 16 because immigration was very high and it was hurting working-class communities like mine. After addressing those concerns, further down the line they start introducing really quite extreme stuff to you.”
Mr Buckby said it was important that – at least on the surface – the government appeared to be addressing the uproar, but warned that extremists were still capable of abusing the issue.
“At this point, the extreme-right, the neo-Nazis, will be saying exactly the same thing as Conservatives because that’s how this works,” he said. "They’ve found a legitimate issue, and that’s the anchor that gives them some facade of legitimacy and pulls concerned people in.
“Some Conservatives – not all – will be saying: ‘Listen this isn’t legitimate asylum, these aren’t legitimate refugees, this is a problem at the border that we have to solve.’ The extreme right is going to be saying the exact same thing because those things are true, and there’s no need to inject any element of conspiracy theory into it. At least," he said, "not yet.”
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
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LIST OF INVITEES
Shergo Kurdi (am)
Rayhan Thomas
Saud Al Sharee (am)
Min Woo Lee
Todd Clements
Matthew Jordan
AbdulRahman Al Mansour (am)
Matteo Manassero
Alfie Plant
Othman Al Mulla
Shaun Norris
How to donate
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
WandaVision
Starring: Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany
Directed by: Matt Shakman
Rating: Four stars
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 48V hybrid
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: Dh359,000
On sale: now
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Keep it fun and engaging
Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, says children cannot learn something overnight, so it helps to have a fun routine that keeps them engaged and interested.
“I explain to my daughter that the money I draw from an ATM or the money on my bank card doesn’t just magically appear – it’s money I have earned from my job. I show her how this works by giving her little chores around the house so she can earn pocket money,” says Mr Ritchie.
His daughter is allowed to spend half of her pocket money, while the other half goes into a bank account. When this money hits a certain milestone, Mr Ritchie rewards his daughter with a small lump sum.
He also recommends books that teach the importance of money management for children, such as The Squirrel Manifesto by Ric Edelman and Jean Edelman.
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Teams
Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi
Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag
Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC
Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC
Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan
Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes
Timeline October 25: Around 120 players to be entered into a draft, to be held in Dubai; December 21: Matches start; December 24: Finals
