Any self-respecting independent island nation ought to be able to secure its own borders, right? Well, patently not if that nation happens to be the UK under a clapped-out, morally bankrupt Conservative government. When you've just wilfully severed almost fifty years of co-operative links with your nearest continental neighbours and totally fucked up your immigration system, no wonder thousands of desperate migrants are willing to risk the dangerous Channel crossing in small boats from the French coast to gain access. They cannot and will not wait forever in unsafe and insanitary encampments, within sight of the White Cliffs of Dover on a clear day, without chancing their luck. No wonder, either, that the French authorities for their part seem unable or unwilling to do much to prevent them. Short of blasting these boats out of the water (something I suspect many xenophobic Brexiteers, including Tory MPs, would enthusiastically welcome) the only realistic response from the UK is to...