Michaela Coel, the acclaimed actress recognized with two BAFTA awards, has voiced her perspective on the shifting allure of Britain for West Africans. In light of recent anti-immigration demonstrations, Coel suggests that the UK might not hold the same appeal as it once did, a sentiment echoed by her own sense of tranquility while residing in Ghana.

Having grown up in East London, Coel, now 38, divides her time between the bustling British capital and her home in Ghana. Her reflections on the current atmosphere in the UK were candidly shared during a recent interview, where she described witnessing what she termed as ‘quite odd’ protests regarding immigration from her London residence.

In her conversation with The Sunday Times, Coel remarked, “It just seems a bit odd because I don’t think many people are racing to immigrate to the UK like they used to.” She further noted a growing trend among West Africans seeking opportunities elsewhere, suggesting that the UK has lost the magnetic pull it once had.

These observations come against the backdrop of protests like the one led by right-wing activist Tommy Robinson. The ‘Unite The Kingdom’ rally in September drew a crowd that marched from Stamford Street to the southern end of Whitehall, highlighting the contentious debate over immigration in the UK.

‘I think more and more, if people can find a way out – I’m talking particularly for West Africans – they will go. I think the UK has lost the attraction it once had.’

Right-wing activist Tommy Robinson’s ‘Unite The Kingdom’ rally in September saw protesters march from Stamford Street to the southern end of Whitehall. 

Crowds voiced their anger over free speech and Britain’s small boat crisis before Tesla CEO Elon Musk criticised the British government in a guest video appearance.  He urged marchers to ‘fight back or die’ and spoke of the ‘rapidly increasing erosion of Britain’. 

A second march through the capital is set to go ahead next month, with Sharon Osbourne controversially announcing last week that she will be in attendance.

British-Ghanaian actress Michaela Coel, 38, has claimed West Africans don’t want to live in the United Kingdom anymore

The two-time BAFTA award-winner said she watched Tommy Robinson’s ‘Unite the Kingdom’ march from the window of her east London home

However Coel said she feels ‘more at peace’ in her native Ghana as she gears up for her return to screen with the new BBC series First Day on Earth.

The actress said filming for the new ten-part series had already begun. She is set to both feature in and executive produce the project. 

Coel rose to fame when she secured the lead role in Channel 4’s Chewing Gum and made her directorial debut with 12-part HBO series I May Destroy You.

She went on to win Outstanding Writing for a Television Limited Anthology Series or Movie at the Emmys and five Baftas for the project.

Since Labour came to power, the country’s small boat crisis has spiralled with some 70,701 migrants crossing the Channel.   

It is estimated that 602 migrants reached the UK on Saturday alone, in figures which pushed this year’s running total past the 6,000 mark. 

In his latest pledge, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage vowed to ‘immediately detain’ and deport around 400,000 asylum seekers if his party wins the next election.   

Revealing new details of its promise to tighten border controls, Farage said all illegal migrants who arrived in the five years prior to the next election would be locked up.

It would include those who arrived by small boat or clandestinely in the backs of lorries, as well as those who claimed asylum using fake documents, the party said.

The figure would come on top of 600,000 deportations Reform last year indicated it would enforce, making a total of one million.  

A Reform government would review all grants of asylum going back five years, leading to further deportations.

Anyone who claimed asylum after overstaying a visa would be detained and deported, the party’s new policy set out.

This week Reform UK leader Nigel Farage vowed to ‘immediately detain’ and deport around 400,000 if his party wins the next election

It is estimated that 602 migrants reached the UK on small boats on Saturday in figures which pushed this year’s running total past the 6,000 mark

A third category of asylum seeker – those whose home countries are now deemed to be safe – would also be stripped of their visas and be eligible for removal.

The detention of such large numbers of people would pose a huge challenge as the current capacity of immigration removal centres is less than 3,000 beds.

But a Reform spokesman predicted many of those targeted by the new policy would choose to leave Britain voluntarily. 

Reform UK’s home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf accused Labour and the previous Conservative government of allowing Britain to be ‘invaded’ by asylum seekers.

‘For years, Tory and Labour governments have presided over an invasion of Britain,’ he said. They have effectively operated an open borders policy.

‘Instead of upholding the law, they have rewarded those who broke it by entering Britain illegally. Reform will reverse this.’

He added: ‘Today we announce that a Reform government will review the previous five years of asylum grants, and anyone who broke into the country illegally or overstayed on another visa will be stripped of their status and deported.

‘We will do what it takes to restore justice in Britain.’ 

Labour’s ‘one in, one out’ scheme launched last year allowing small boat migrants to be returned to France has seen 377 removed so far but 380 have been brought into the UK under the reciprocal terms of the deal. The scheme is due to end in June.

In a further sign that Labour’s small boats policies are in disarray, the head of the UK’s border security command stepped down at the end of last month after failing to stem the surge in crossings.

Sir Keir Starmer appointed Martin Hewitt, a former senior police officer, shortly after becoming Prime Minister – tasking him with curbing numbers crossing the Channel.

But during his 18 months in the job crossings continued at sky-high levels, with last year witnessing the second-highest annual total on record.