In a blistering address that set the stage for Britain's next political battle, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has thrown down the gauntlet on immigration, declaring that the UK must sever ties with the European Convention on Human Rights to regain true control of its borders.
The Border Control Ultimatum
Speaking with characteristic firebrand rhetoric, Farage asserted that mere tinkering with immigration policy would no longer suffice. "The only way we can take back control of our borders, the only way we can stop the small boats, is to leave the European Convention on Human Rights," he proclaimed, positioning his party as the only true alternative to what he called "the establishment consensus."
Direct Challenge to Sunak and Starmer
The controversial Brexit architect didn't mince words when targeting both major parties. He accused Rishi Sunak's Conservatives of failing to deliver on their immigration promises despite Brexit, while labelling Sir Keir Starmer's Labour as fundamentally unwilling to address what Farage termed "the immigration crisis."
"They are both signed up to the ECHR, they are both signed up to net migration of hundreds of thousands of people a year," Farage declared, framing the upcoming general election as a pivotal moment for Britain's sovereignty.
Beyond Brexit: The New Political Frontier
Farage's intervention signals a strategic pivot for Reform UK, moving beyond the settled Brexit debate to what he envisions as the next frontier in Britain's independence struggle. The European Convention on Human Rights, established in 1953 and separate from the European Union, has become the new battleground in the ongoing debate about UK sovereignty.
The convention has repeatedly been cited in legal challenges to the government's Rwanda deportation scheme, making it a focal point for immigration hardliners. Farage's position places him squarely against both major parties, with neither Sunak nor Starmer advocating for ECHR withdrawal.
Immigration as Election Centrepiece
By making ECHR withdrawal his central policy demand, Farage clearly intends to position immigration as the defining issue of the next election campaign. His rhetoric suggests he believes there's significant public appetite for tougher measures than either the Conservatives or Labour are offering.
"This isn't just about policy—it's about principle," Farage asserted, suggesting that true border control remains elusive despite Britain's formal departure from the EU.
As the political landscape shifts ahead of the next general election, Farage's declaration ensures that immigration and sovereignty will remain at the forefront of national debate, with Reform UK positioning itself as the only party willing to take what it calls "the necessary radical steps" to secure Britain's borders.
