Juxtaposed controls

One of the key issues driving the debate about Britain’s place in Europe was migration, and a key physical reminder of that is the “jungle” at Calais.

The jungle is a collection of makeshift huts and tents housing as many as 5,000 migrants who are using the camp as a base while they attempt to reach the UK.

The jungle is in France because of agreements struck between the UK and France in 1991 and 2003 that Britain’s border should effectively be in France.

This means that British border officials can carry out checks at French customs, including searching for hidden migrants.

The agreement is between the UK and France, and not strictly EU related but article 19 says:

The present Agreement may be terminated by the competent authorities of either of the Parties by giving a period of notice of six months.

This week it seems more likely to me that our government will get that notice from our friends across the Channel than it did last week. That would put the cat among the pigeons.