UK axes support for Mediterranean migrant rescue operation

[branford]

3. I think there's a lot more to the British decision to end search and rescue operations.

Illegal immigration and foreign workers are politically very unpopular in Britain, the current government is fighting growing opposition from UKIP on the right, and the operations are very expensive and not in British territorial waters. The EU is also unpopular in Britain and they just recently demanded an additional couple of billion in payments from the British taxpayers, while seeking to refund monies to France and Germany. Since Britain possesses one of the only major navies in the EU, they might be sending a message to Brussels about the importance of Britain and British concerns in the EU.

Don't be surprised if Britain later agrees to further assistance in the Mediterranean in consideration for political support for British domestic concerns from southern European countries and something akin to a "reimbursement" for British expenses in support of rescue operation to offset the billions of new revenue demanded by the EU.