Keir Starmer in Rome with Giorgia Meloni: collaboration on migration and security.

British Labour leader Keir Starmer met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome to discuss mainly the issue of migration, in particular the model of the agreement between Italy and Albania and the fight against human traffickers. This meeting took place at a time when the British government is looking for alternatives to the controversial “Rwanda Plan” for the management of asylum seekers, which was initiated by the previous Conservative government led by Rishi Sunak.

The meeting between the two leaders took place in a climate of strong cooperation, highlighted by a long conversation behind closed doors, followed by a walk in the gardens of Villa Pamphili and a working lunch. In a joint press conference, Meloni stressed that Italy and the United Kingdom share a pragmatic approach to the migration crisis and the need to explore “new solutions” to address the problem. The Italian prime minister also described the Italy-Albania protocol, which provides for the creation of centers for the management of asylum requests outside Europe's borders, as a potentially effective and innovative model. Although not yet fully implemented, Meloni said the project has attracted international attention and, if successful, could act as a deterrent for those who try to rely on traffickers.

Starmer, for his part, praised Meloni's leadership, especially for her support for Ukraine, and confirmed his interest in better understanding the functioning of the Italy-Albania protocol, with the aim of also improving British migration policy. During his visit to Rome, Starmer also stopped at the coordination centre for immigration, accompanied by the Italian Interior Minister, Matteo Piantedosi. Here, he had the opportunity to observe the results of the reductions in irregular migration flows to Italy, attributing them to the intensified diplomatic and security work in the migrants' countries of origin.

A key element of Starmer's agenda is strengthening the fight against smugglers, which he sees as a top priority. He has insisted that preventing departures through stronger international cooperation is one of the most effective ways to tackle the migration crisis, thus reducing deaths at sea in both the Mediterranean and the English Channel. His visit comes amid political continuity with the approach taken by previous British Conservative governments. Despite promises of radical change in other policy areas, Starmer appears to want to maintain a hard line on irregular migration, proposing alternatives that are more sustainable than the controversial Rwanda Plan.

The meeting in Rome also highlighted the continuity of cooperation between the two countries, despite the change of leadership in London. Meloni and Starmer confirmed their willingness to step up cooperation between police forces and intelligence services to counter criminal networks that manage migrant trafficking. Both leaders stressed the importance of tracking the flow of money that supports these organizations, evoking the approach of Italian magistrates Falcone and Borsellino in the fight against the mafia.

Another topic of discussion was the strengthening of the strategic relationship between Italy and the United Kingdom within the Transatlantic Alliance, considered crucial to addressing common challenges, from international security to economic growth. Starmer announced new British investments in the defense and innovation sector, confirming £485 million for clean growth and technology projects in collaboration with Italian companies such as Leonardo and Marcegaglia.

The summit between Meloni and Starmer is part of a broader framework of bilateral diplomatic relations that, despite ideological differences, show solid harmony on issues such as security and border control. Starmer, despite coming from a progressive political background, seems inclined to continue some of the key policies of his conservative predecessor, especially on immigration. This continuity has drawn criticism from some members of his majority and non-governmental organizations, who accuse him of following the “plans of the Italian far right” on immigration.

At home, Starmer recently announced the creation of an elite task force to combat illegal landings and organised crime associated with irregular migration. This new unit will be led by Martin Hewitt, a former police chief with a long history of fighting serious crime. Hewitt will be responsible for coordinating operations between the various British security services and their European counterparts to combat criminal networks responsible for migrant smuggling. It is an initiative that aims to solve the problem of illegal landings on British shores without resorting to solutions such as transferring migrants to third countries, which are considered impractical.

Starmer concluded his press conference by reiterating the importance of maintaining an international approach to the problem of migration, stressing that cooperation between countries is the only way to prevent tragedies at sea and ensure effective border control. Although Starmer's approach differs in some ways from that of his predecessor, the fight against irregular immigration and human trafficking remains a central theme of his political agenda.