The prime minister’s pointlessly macho stance is putting the UK ever more at odds with its closest neighbour
France’s interior minister, Gérald Darmanin, is a sensitive soul. He dislikes British politicians saying nice things to him in private, then turning round and using “insulting” and “strongly unfriendly” language in the House of Commons and the press. He is particularly upset by his British opposite number, Priti Patel, and her boss, Boris Johnson, doing this on the topic of immigration.
We might wonder where the French minister spent his political upbringing to become so innocent of political reality. Yet the substance of Darmanin’s complaint is true. The current cross-Channel migration crisis has two dimensions. One is the real human anguish needing diplomatic and practical resolution. The other is its exploitation in a shouting match for public and political consumption. Thousands of refugees have sought British shores this past year, and last week tragedy struck as 27 of them died in the crossing.
Simon Jenkins is a Guardian columnist
