Dover, a seaside town in Kent, is at the center of a contentious debate as rightwing influencers and politicians, including shadow home secretary Chris Philp and Reform leader Nigel Farage, regularly visit to create content about an alleged "invasion" of small boat crossings. While some residents welcome the attention, others accuse the figures of exploiting the town for their own agendas.
Mixed Reactions on the Ground
On a sunny day at Dover's marina, sunbathers and dog-walkers enjoy the beach, a scene that contrasts sharply with the war-zone imagery painted by some online personalities. Alison Drake, a local resident, expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of these visits: "They're using Dover a bit. People making all these videos and that is not really doing much, is it?"
Razia Shariff, who runs the Kent Refugee Action Network (Kran), a charity supporting refugee and asylum-seeking young people, believes the stunts are designed to stoke fear. "What they're trying to do is play on fear with all of these stunts," she said.
Support for the Attention
However, not all residents share this view. Tom Armstrong, who is avowedly anti-immigration, said the attention is necessary. "They're letting the people know that the French are not doing anything," he said. Armstrong added that rightwing politicians are helping the cause by drawing attention to the issue. "You've got to draw attention. We've got to know the truth."
Philp's recent trip across the Channel in a fishing boat was intended to highlight the crisis, but French authorities clarified it was a routine training exercise, not an attempt to deter him. Despite this, Philp claimed to be exposing the small boats crisis.
Calls for Action Over Rhetoric
Drake acknowledged that the attention might prompt action but expressed frustration: "Everyone knows about it, it's about time they did something about it. They don't do anything. So, it's all very well everyone keep going on about it, but no one does anything. They know it's happening."
Philp, who served as immigration minister in the early 2020s, oversaw a sharp increase in crossings during his tenure, a fact that some may find ironic given his current stance.
Local Organizations Making a Difference
In contrast to the political posturing, organizations like Kran are working to address the challenges of migration. Shariff highlighted the achievements of young refugees, including one who arrived as a child refugee and now works as a nurse in local hospitals. "Others have set up their own businesses against all the odds. They get on with their lives and they try," she said.
Impact on Dover's Image
Carol, a Dover resident who preferred not to give her surname, worries that the constant media attention could deter tourists. "I think it is unfair that Dover is headlined in that way. Because you can sit on the beach, enjoy the area," she said. Standing on the same spot where Farage gave a speech in 2024, she described the town as "pleasant enough," noting the beach is lovely and the surrounding countryside is attractive.
Carol added that Dover, like many towns, is "a bit rundown" and the negative image is not helping. "It's a bit sad. So it's not a great place to shop, by all means, but the seafront's lovely. And the surrounding countryside is lovely. I'm sure it isn't helping. Dover has got that image."
The debate highlights a deep divide in how the small boats crisis is perceived and addressed, with some calling for more substantive action and others emphasizing the need for public awareness.
