Immigration remains a focal point of political discourse in Britain, and Reform UK has emerged as the party with the most hardline proposals to stop illegal immigration and overhaul the asylum system. From its 2024 general election manifesto to the more aggressive policies unveiled in August 2025, the party’s trajectory reflects a growing ambition to radically reshape the UK’s immigration framework.
In this article, Jenny Jones explores Reform UK’s current immigration agenda in two parts: the policies set out in its 2024 general election manifesto, and the more sweeping measures unveiled by Nigel Farage on 26th August 2025, under the title Operation Restoring Justice.
1. The 2024 General Election Manifesto
In its 2024 manifesto, Reform UK made “Stopping the Boats” a headline pledge. The party blamed both Labour and Conservative governments for failing to control the UK’s borders and promised urgent legislation to confront what it termed an “invasion” via the English Channel. Key proposals included:
● End to Asylum from Safe Countries
Reform UK pledged to reject all asylum claims from individuals arriving via safe countries such as France. Under this policy, such individuals would be automatically deemed inadmissible and subject to immediate removal. The party argued that France is not a war zone and therefore should not serve as a springboard for asylum seekers.
● Offshore Processing Facilities
The party called for asylum seekers arriving illegally to be transferred to offshore centres outside the UK. Drawing comparisons to Australia’s use of Manus Island, Reform UK stated that these offshore centres would be used for processing claims and potentially offering protection—but not in Britain.
● Maritime Pushbacks and Military Involvement
Reform UK advocated using the Royal Navy to intercept and turn back small boats crossing the Channel. The party proposed abandoning international maritime obligations if necessary, including withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
● Deportation Infrastructure
The manifesto proposed expanding detention capacity and introducing fast-track deportation procedures for anyone entering the UK illegally. This would include repatriation agreements with countries of origin and third countries willing to take failed asylum seekers.
● Cap on Net Migration
Reform UK also promised to cap net migration at 50,000 people per year, arguing that even legal migration was putting pressure on housing, healthcare, and schools.
● End to International Legal Constraints
Party leaders described the 1951 Refugee Convention and ECHR as “outdated legal relics.” The manifesto proposed derogating from or rewriting these treaties to allow Britain to pursue immigration policies without interference from international courts.
2. Operation Restoring Justice (Announced 26th August 2025)
In a highly publicised speech on 26th August 2025, Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, unveiled the next phase of the party’s immigration strategy: Operation Restoring Justice. Delivered to supporters in Kent—a symbolic location due to its role in Channel crossings—Farage framed the initiative as a “national emergency response” to illegal migration and the failures of the legal system.
● Mass Deportations
Farage announced that a Reform UK government would deport at least 100,000 illegal migrants annually, including failed asylum seekers, overstayers, and foreign nationals with criminal records. To support this, Reform UK proposed a dramatic increase in deportation infrastructure, including the creation of temporary holding centres on disused military sites.
● Abolition of Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
One of the most controversial measures was the proposed abolition of Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), which Farage described as “a pathway to silent amnesty.” In its place, the party would introduce fixed-term residency permits, subject to regular reviews. These permits could be revoked for reasons including minor criminal convictions, unemployment, or “failure to integrate.”
This policy would not only apply to new migrants but could also affect hundreds of thousands of existing residents with ILR, sparking concern among legal experts and civil rights groups.
● Retroactive Reviews and Revocations
Operation Restoring Justice would review all discretionary leave and legacy asylum cases, including individuals granted protection on humanitarian or exceptional grounds. Farage claimed this was necessary to reverse what he described as “years of backdoor immigration.”
● Creation of a National Deportation Force
To carry out the operation, Reform UK proposed forming a dedicated Deportation Taskforce within the Home Office, working alongside immigration enforcement and the police. This taskforce would be empowered to carry out dawn raids, use surveillance technologies, and liaise with local authorities.
● Public Reporting Platform
In a move criticised by human rights organisations, the party also pledged to set up a public reporting hotline for suspected illegal migrants. Farage compared it to neighbourhood watch schemes, claiming it would empower communities to help “restore law and order.”
Conclusion
From the 2024 general election manifesto to the sweeping measures unveiled under Operation Restoring Justice, Reform UK’s immigration platform represents the most hardline stance in recent British political history. While the manifesto focused on deterring new arrivals and dismantling the asylum system, the August 2025 announcement marks a shift towards retroactive enforcement and mass deportation, even targeting long-settled migrants.
Supporters see these policies as necessary to reassert national control. Critics argue they represent a legal and moral retreat from the UK’s long-standing humanitarian commitments. Either way, immigration is set to remain a defining issue in Britain’s political future—with Reform UK continuing to push the boundaries of what that debate includes.
