Nigel Farage has unveiled a giant replica migrant dinghy while setting out Reform UK plans to suspend new asylum claims for up to five years if the party enters government.
The Reform UK leader used the 43ft inflatable boat during a press conference on Monday, October 12, as he announced a package of immigration and asylum proposals.
Reform said the replica represented a vessel used to carry around 230 people across the English Channel in a single crossing.
Under the party’s proposals, new asylum claims would be suspended for up to five years, while around 90,000 outstanding applications and appeals would be rejected and those affected considered for removal.
The plan would also involve reviewing asylum status granted since 2024 and potentially withdrawing protection where the person’s country of origin is subsequently considered safe.
Most legal refugee resettlement routes would also be closed, although Reform has said protections for Ukrainians who fled Russia’s full-scale invasion would be treated separately.
Pressure on countries refusing returns
Farage also said a Reform government would consider measures against countries that refused to accept the return of their nationals.
Those measures could include visa restrictions, tariffs and restrictions affecting airlines or access to UK airspace. Countries discussed by the party have included Pakistan, Somalia, Eritrea, Afghanistan and Syria.
Farage described the proposals as a response to what Reform considers a national security and border-control problem, and reiterated his ambition to stop small-boat crossings rapidly after entering government.
Refugee organisations and political opponents have criticised the plans, warning that blanket rejection of claims could prevent people fleeing persecution from receiving individual consideration and could face legal challenges under the UK’s international obligations.
The measures remain Reform UK policy proposals and would require the party to form a government and implement the necessary legal changes before they could take effect.
