The English Channel, a body of water separating the south coast of England and the north of France, is the source of huge political controversy at Westminster. Fears about illegal immigration have fuelled not one but two bouts of legislation from the Conservative government. The first, the Nationality and Borders Act, passed last year, is designed to make it harder for people to stay in the UK illegally, and speed up deportations. The second, the Illegal Migration Bill, is currently making its way through parliament.