In a move set to define the battle lines on immigration ahead of the general election, Nigel Farage has laid out Reform UK's most hardline policy platform to date. The party's 'contract' with the British people promises a freeze on non-essential migration and a sweeping programme of mass deportations for illegal arrivals.
The Core of the Reform UK Proposal
Central to Farage's announcement is a pledge to halt all non-essential immigration immediately. The plan targets the small boats crisis head-on, proposing that any migrant arriving illegally across the Channel would be permanently barred from claiming UK citizenship in the future.
The most explosive element is the commitment to "start removing people within days, not years". This would be achieved by employing former military personnel to rapidly process claims and handle deportations, effectively creating a dedicated task force for removals.
Tories Cry Foul: 'Wholesale Copying'
The Conservative response was swift and accusatory. A senior Tory source claimed that Farage's entire immigration policy was "wholesale copied from the Conservative manifesto", pointing to striking similarities with their own existing plans.
This accusation centres on the Rwanda deportation scheme, a cornerstone of the government's current immigration strategy. The Tories argue that Reform's plan to fast-track removals is merely an echo of their own policy, repackaged for political gain.
A Pre-Election Clash on Sovereignty and Security
Farage positioned the announcement as a direct challenge to the establishment, framing it as the only true alternative for Leave voters who feel betrayed by the delivery of Brexit. He stated the policy would save billions and allow the UK to regain control of its borders.
The unveiling ensures that immigration and national sovereignty will be dominant themes in the final weeks of the campaign, forcing voters to choose between the Conservative's established, yet stalled, Rwanda plan and Reform's more aggressive deportation model.
With both parties now claiming ownership of the toughest stance on immigration, the political debate is poised to become increasingly heated as polling day approaches.
