Nigel Farage has been accused of stoking hatred against legal immigrants after calling for the revocation of indefinite leave to remain (ILR) for all foreign nationals. Speaking at a Reform UK press conference in Westminster, the party leader claimed that legal migrants were 'lazy spongers' contributing nothing to society, despite evidence that many work in essential roles such as nursing and care work.
Farage, who has previously focused on small boat crossings, turned his attention to those who entered the UK legally. He argued that the number of foreigners was too high and that all ILR should be revoked, a policy that would affect millions of people. He was joined by Reform's Zia Yusuf, who described the era of cheap labour as over and proposed acute skills shortage visas for some hospital and care home staff, while requiring employers to train British workers and increase wages.
The press conference was marked by confusion and contradiction. Farage claimed the policy would save £230bn, a figure originally dreamed up by the Centre for Policy Studies (CPS), which has since disowned it. When challenged, Farage dismissed the accuracy of the figure, insisting it was probably higher. The event also saw the Reform UK panel fall off the lectern as Farage approached, a moment that drew attention to the party's chaotic presentation.
Questions from the media turned tetchy as even right-wing outlets questioned the economic viability and racial undertones of the proposals. Critics pointed out that the plans would require mass deportations, gut public services, and be run by inexperienced MPs. Farage, however, remained defiant, insisting that he knew better than anyone else and that his reality should not be challenged.
The row has intensified debate over immigration policy in the UK, with opponents accusing Farage of normalising hate against legal migrants. The Reform leader's comments have been widely condemned as economically illiterate and openly racist, raising concerns about the direction of political discourse on immigration.
