Reform UK has announced a policy to prioritise the construction of migrant detention centres in constituencies represented by Green MPs or councils, just days before local elections. Shadow home secretary Zia Yusuf made the announcement in a video filmed on Brighton beachfront, where Britain's first Green MP was elected.
The policy includes a webpage where voters can enter their postcode to check if their area is on the list for a detention centre. For example, entering the postcode for Hackney town hall, where the Greens are tipped to win council elections, brings up a warning that the area will be prioritised.
The policy has been condemned by the Greens, Labour, and the Conservatives. The Refugee Council described it as "unworkable and profoundly un-British". YouGov polling found that 45% of adults believe it is unacceptable for a government to base decisions on which party voters supported, with 37% of Reform voters also opposing the policy.
Insiders suggest the policy is designed to sharpen dividing lines between Reform and the Greens, positioning them as the two main choices for voters. It also aims to energise Reform's base in low-turnout local elections by generating outrage.
The policy marks a shift from Reform's earlier plan, outlined in August 2024, which proposed building detention centres in "remote parts of the country". The party's core deportation policy includes detaining and deporting illegal immigrants under a five-year emergency programme.
