It would take a strongman, and that strongman would have to come to power via force because the majority of the country wants to vote for girlie men and bask in hope and change while living on someone else's dime. That majority is not overwhelming, but - as the last election demonstrated - it is sufficient.
Once that strongman comes to power he will definitely close the borders, and he will hang all the criminals, and he will make trains run on time. He will also do other things - things that you wouldn't be that happy about, but you would have no power. That's how most dictators come to power - on the wave of popular displeasure with pathetic, impotent and corrupt "elected" government (who, in reality, elects themselves.)
It's nice to dream about a benevolent dictator; about someone who has the power to make things right *and* the will to do so, and the honesty to not abuse the power. Such people are known in history, but they are rare.
Well, I don’t think it takes a dictator, but it does take a sensible majority of people who desire independence and freedom.