Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has unveiled a hardline immigration policy, promising to deport asylum seekers en masse if his party enters government. The plan, announced at a press conference on Tuesday, marks a shift towards more extreme rhetoric for Farage, who described irregular migration as an 'invasion' and warned of 'major civil disorder'.
Farage's gamble is whether the public will support his argument that the method of entry matters more than the validity of an asylum claim. Polling expert Joe Twyman of Deltapoll noted that only about one in six people endorse very strong views on migrants, suggesting Farage is tapping into a small but vocal minority. Sunder Katwala of British Future added that most voters fall in the middle, wanting control but also caring about asylum claims.
The plan has faced scrutiny over its cost. When questioned why his £10bn estimate differed from the Centre for Migration Control's £47.5bn projection, Farage dismissed the query, saying his colleague Zia Yusuf is 'really good at maths'. Critics argue Farage is more interested in the politics of the plan than its feasibility.
Despite media pushback, Farage noted a lack of criticism from Labour and the Conservatives. Downing Street acknowledged public concerns over illegal migration but focused on 'practical actions', while shadow home secretary Chris Philp accused Farage of recycling Tory plans. Experts warn that Labour's fence-sitting risks alienating both those who want control and those who prioritise compassion.
