Starmer declared this week that he is “ready to put boots on the ground and planes in the air” to back Ukraine, but such determination is never applied to Britain’s own porous borders. Far from guarding our shores, the Border Force acts as a quasi-ferry service for illegal migrants crossing the Channel.

Britain and France have offered to send troops to Ukraine to help secure any truce and Starmer said others were also prepared to join a multinational force in the country. This week there were signs that the coalition was broadening after 20 countries took part in discussions hosted by the UK.