A special episode of BBC Question Time dedicated solely to immigration sparked heated exchanges and audience applause last night, with Nigel Farage placed squarely in the crosshairs.
Cooper's Direct Blame for Rising Asylum Numbers
The Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Daisy Cooper MP, ignited the debate by directly linking the former UKIP leader and the Brexit deal he championed to the sharp increase in asylum seekers arriving by boat. Addressing the panel and audience in Dover, Kent, she presented a stark comparison.
Ms Cooper stated that in 2017, research from Durham University showed not a single asylum seeker arrived by boat, whereas the UK now sees approximately 46,000 such arrivals annually. She argued this surge was a direct consequence of the "botched Brexit deal pushed through by Boris Johnson, championed by Nigel Farage."
Her passionate declaration that "Nigel Farage should be here tonight apologising to the British people" was met with clear approval from the Dover audience, who broke into applause.
Panel Clash Over Brexit Link
The claim immediately fractured the panel, leading to a sharp rebuttal from Conservative MP Kieran Mullan. The Shadow Minister for Justice dismissed the argument as "utter nonsense," countering that if Brexit was the cause, why were similar boat arrivals occurring in EU nations like Spain and Italy.
Reform UK's representative on the panel, Zia Yusuf – the party's recent chairman – had earlier stated his party would "prioritise British citizens." This point drew a pointed response from Ms Cooper, who urged viewers to remember that "there are other choices available" and that "there are people speaking up for the silent majority."
A Recurring and Divisive Theme
Immigration continues to be a fiercely debated topic on the long-running BBC programme. This follows a similar incident in October when an audience in Bradford applauded economist Faiza Shaheen after she challenged claims by GB News presenter Matt Goodwin that asylum seekers are "often breaking laws."
Last night's dedicated episode underscored the deep and ongoing political divisions over immigration policy, border control, and the lasting impact of the UK's departure from the European Union, with the audience reaction highlighting the public's engaged and passionate response to the issue.
