Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has set out a sweeping immigration plan, describing the situation as a 'scourge' and an 'invasion'. In a major speech, he proposed deporting hundreds of thousands of migrants and scrapping key human rights protections, marking a significant shift in political rhetoric on small boat crossings.
The policy, which Farage says leaves 'no going back', includes measures to end the current asylum system and dramatically reduce net migration. The plans have been met with controversy, particularly over the proposed removal of human rights safeguards that could affect existing legal protections for migrants.
The Guardian's policy editor Kiran Stacey reported that the speech may represent a watershed moment in how politicians discuss illegal migration. Deputy political editor Jessica Elgot noted that Labour's response is being closely watched, with the party expected to challenge the legality and feasibility of the proposals.
Farage's announcement comes amid ongoing public concern over border control and the government's handling of Channel crossings. While Reform UK is not in power, the proposals could influence the broader political debate ahead of the next general election.
