Nigel Farage has declared there is "no going back" as he unveiled Reform UK's most radical immigration policy platform to date, positioning the party as the only true alternative to what he calls the "failed consensus" of Westminster.
The Australian Blueprint
At the heart of Reform's proposal is a stringent Australian-style points-based system that would fundamentally reshape how migrants are selected. The system would prioritise specific skills, qualifications, and language proficiency that directly benefit the UK economy, while effectively shutting down routes deemed less economically valuable.
Strict Annual Caps
Perhaps the most dramatic element is the proposal for a firm annual cap on net migration, to be set by parliament following advice from the Migration Watch committee. This would represent one of the most restrictive immigration regimes in modern British history.
Economic Protectionism
Farage's plan includes significant protectionist measures for British workers:
- Banning employers from paying migrant workers less than the full rate for the job
- Implementing a substantial increase in the Immigration Health Surcharge
- Slashing non-essential immigration to prioritise British job seekers
Breaking the Westminster Consensus
In characteristically combative style, Farage positioned his party as the only one willing to address what he describes as the public's primary concern. He accused both Conservative and Labour leadership of being part of a "pro-immigration consensus" that has betrayed British voters for decades.
The announcement signals Reform UK's intention to make immigration the central battleground of the next general election, challenging the traditional parties on their most vulnerable flank.
