Reform UK has announced a controversial policy to prioritise the siting of migrant detention centres in areas represented by Green MPs or councils, just days before local elections. Shadow home secretary Zia Yusuf unveiled the plan in a video filmed on Brighton beachfront, the constituency that elected Britain's first Green MP. The party also launched a webpage where voters can enter their postcode to see if their area is on the list for a detention centre.
The policy has drawn widespread condemnation. The Greens and Labour described it as 'disgusting' and 'grotesque', while the Conservatives dismissed it as 'not a serious policy' and 'made up on the spot for a social media video'. Imran Hussain, director of external affairs at the Refugee Council, called it 'unworkable and profoundly un-British'. YouGov polling indicated that 45% of adults believe it is unacceptable for a government to base decisions on which party voters supported, with 37% of Reform voters agreeing.
Analysts suggest the policy is designed to sharpen dividing lines and galvanise Reform's base ahead of the elections. John McTernan, a former political adviser to Tony Blair, said: 'Reform are a very modern political party, which farms outrage and wants people to be angry... this is about ensuring that their voters continue to have something to feel strongly about.' The policy marks a shift from Reform's earlier 'Operation Restoring Justice' document, which proposed building detention centres in remote parts of the country.
