In a move that could upend the lives of tens of thousands of European citizens, Nigel Farage has vowed to scrap the EU Settled Status scheme entirely if his Reform UK party gains power. This radical policy shift places countless individuals who built their lives in Britain under the threat of deportation.
The End of Guaranteed Residence
Farage's declaration marks a dramatic escalation in his party's immigration stance. The existing Settled Status system, established after Brexit, currently protects over 5 million EU nationals by granting them legal residence rights. Its abolition would create immediate uncertainty for those who either failed to apply or had applications rejected.
"We will scrap the failed Settled Status scheme altogether," Farage stated unequivocally during a campaign event, framing the move as necessary to regain control over Britain's borders.
Who Stands to Lose?
Official figures reveal the potential human cost: approximately 140,000 applications were refused or declared invalid, while tens of thousands more never applied before the deadline passed. These individuals—including families, workers, and homeowners—now face the prospect of becoming undocumented overnight.
Campaign groups have reacted with alarm. The3Million, which represents EU citizens in the UK, called the proposal "reckless and inhumane," warning it would create "a new Windrush-style scandal on an enormous scale."
Political Earthquake
The policy pledge signals Farage's intention to make immigration the central battleground of the next election. By targeting a system designed to protect rights, he directly challenges the Conservative government's post-Brexit settlement and appeals to voters demanding tougher border controls.
Legal experts question both the practicality and morality of such a move. Overturning granted statuses would likely trigger mass legal challenges under human rights legislation and existing withdrawal agreements.
As Britain's political landscape fractures, thousands who considered their futures secure now watch with apprehension as their right to remain becomes electoral bargaining chip.
