The left and right are feeding off each other algorithmically on the issue of migrant boat crossings, says The Sunday Times's columnist Matthew Syed. "All I'm saying is Tommy Robinson on this issue, closing the borders, is right. Doesn't mean he's right on other issues."

Wouldn't most of Tommy's issues go away if illegal migration were dealt with and all visas were reviewed? If you don't like Tommy, then surely a government unafraid to tackle this would help him enjoy his retirement in Mallorca.

Mathew is one of the few Times columnists who gets it. His head is in the real world. On another note, I do wonder what Rod Liddle would have made of it. Definitely a miss.

We are so past, this is Xs fault. People have eyes and ears. Act on illegal immigration or the UK and Europe will tip so far right, we will all be sorry. Managed, planned legal immigration, yes. Chaos, system and fiscal collaspe, no.

He is so out of touch. He's completely wrong on the left being for ' open borders' We also have never had open borders here but it's good to get him on record about Yaxley scroll down

People can say what they want about Tommy Robinson, but he's right on some issues. If people want to say "he's this, he's that", fine, but who on the left has done a fraction of the work he's done to expose grooming gangs? Give me a single left wing person who has committed even 1/100th of their time, fighting to raise the issue? Has @owenjonesjourno? Has @Kevin_Maguire? Have @novaramedia ? Has anyone at @guardian? No. None of them have. None of the talking heads, who'll raise concern about Gaza - rightly or wrongly - like Gary Linekar or Carol Vorderman have ever spent time trying to raise the issue of grooming gangs. None of these people on the left will ever fight this battle, ever. It's not that they don't care, I don't assume they're heartless when reading these stories, but they don't care about victims more than they care about the general issue if multiculturalism. That, to the left, is the most important part of their politics and anything that hurts that, whether terrorism, grooming gangs or the illegal entries into the country, will never be addressed.

It does. TR is right on all issues. You just haven’t woken up yet

Matthew is speaking absolute truth and common sense, which appears to escape many in politics and the media, legal class! The UK and Europe is getting what it has sowed. Gaslighting will no longer be tolerated

Am currently listening to this broadcast live, we’re currently on around 10”far right” and 3 far right thugs” an hour. Feels like mild panic.

Wtf is wrong with this guy .. is he aware of plummeting immigration figures ? Pathetic..

Always talks sense

Tosser times

BBC lite

If they are coming here 'illegally' and by illegitimate means, what jot of difference will closing the border have? Just make the UK look an unserious country.

100percent right - enough is enough

I’m pretty sure Matthew at least 99.9 % of this country has said the same thing. The 0.1% is the government who designed, developed, and implemented the invasion of this country. They will be wiped out in 2029. Europe has had enough. Change is coming 💯

the guy has a show on bbc radio 4. not no more lol

There are genuine concerns about illegal immigration but intimidating, hooded, black clad protesters were rightly condemned. But why no #Labour condemnation of #Anitsemitic hate marches that took place in London? Damage & distruption caused by #JustStopOil? All equally wrong

"Tommy Robinson on this issue, closing the borders, is right". Yah, he is right, far right! And that cliche, that being centrist means being rational. Convincing yourself that being centrist (regardless of the times) is rational is bullshit a a form of fanaticism.

How the hell does @matthewsyed blame Russia for illegal immigration ? Equally how is @follow_seb considered a credible presenter ? Blaming X and @TRobinsonNewEra for everything that upsets him Urging a limit to free speech on social media Everyone at @thetimes is Left Wing

@Startinglifeag1 Absolute bollocks - so many lies in what they said. But one thing is true, stop the boats and Labour will win the next election.

More people mean more money for the rich, this includes the filth in Parliament.

Stick to being shit at Ping Pong.

@ga_richardson Thank god for X is all I can say to Sébastien.

7 years ago ...

Given no other country has managed it, how does Matthew suggest we achieve this Brexit killed us, as it removed any obligation from EU countries to stop migrants travelling through to the UK. But a lot of the same people voted for that, because....

The borders are basically closed. If you don’t come illegally (which is being far reduced through cooperation with France) to come here you need valid documentation. “Close the borders” is meaningless. Control the borders - which we do through visa, work permits, etc.

It’s more than that though isn’t it, the rape gangs and the complete disregard for the victims is just another example.

Syed is a nazi apologist, someone should introduce him to some lead

They deffo don’t think he went too far with ICE

The majority generally have no issues with migration. Their issue is with illegal immigration, which because of the government and its choices has in essence become a taxpayer subsidised operation. Matthew saying, the quiet part out loud. "Wir schaffen das" Made by the leaders and political classes in London, Paris, Bonn, Madrid, Rome, Brussels etc. No one else to blame but these feckless salopards.