Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has proposed a controversial plan to deport 600,000 asylum seekers, sparking criticism from various political and charitable organizations.
Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, has unveiled a sweeping proposal aimed at addressing immigration in Britain. The plan includes the deportation of up to 600,000 asylum seekers and the withdrawal from key international treaties, including the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
Farage’s announcement comes amid rising concerns over immigration, with the party asserting that such measures are necessary to prevent “civil disorder.” He characterized the current situation as an “invasion,” claiming that young men are illegally entering the country.
Dubbed Operation Restoring Justice, the initiative is presented as a solution to the ongoing issue of small boats crossing the English Channel. Farage stated that migrants intercepted at sea should be detained and subsequently deported. “If we do that, the boats will stop coming in days because there will be no incentive,” he asserted during a press conference.
The ECHR has been a critical component of U.K. human rights law, often utilized to halt the deportation of migrants deemed to be in the country illegally. Farage’s proposal to repeal the Human Rights Act and scrap international treaties that impede forced deportations has drawn significant criticism.
Labour Party Chairwoman Ellie Reeves responded to the announcement by emphasizing the lack of detail in the plan. “Today, we got none of those things, nor a single answer to the practical, financial, or ethical questions about how their plan would work,” she remarked.
This proposal follows weeks of small protests addressing mass migration and crimes associated with some asylum seekers. In 2024, Britain received a record 108,100 asylum applications, with many coming from countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and Bangladesh.
Polling data indicates that immigration has surpassed economic concerns as the top issue for voters. Despite holding only four seats in Parliament, Reform UK is currently leading in surveys regarding voting intentions.
Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook dismissed the proposals as “a series of gimmicks” that would ultimately prove ineffective. Critics, including various charities, argue that the plan represents a significant departure from Britain’s human rights commitments.
As the debate continues, the implications of such a drastic immigration policy remain a contentious topic within British politics.
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