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Reform UK has unveiled a controversial strategy aimed at dismantling the United Kingdom’s asylum system for the duration of an entire parliamentary term if the party gains power. According to their plan, all new asylum applications would be outright rejected, and current applications would be invalidated, with everyone seeking asylum designated for deportation. This approach, Reform claims, would effectively put the asylum system on hold.
The party intends to abolish the asylum appeals tribunal system, which handles disputes over asylum decisions, resulting in the deportation of more than 90,000 applicants currently awaiting appeal outcomes. Additionally, Reform UK says no new grants of humanitarian protection or refugee status would be issued. Nigel Farage, the party leader, described the situation as a “national security emergency,” asserting that the country cannot accept any more asylum seekers until there is clarity on the number of people residing in the UK illegally and the security risks they may represent.
Reform UK also plans to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), repeal the Human Rights Act 1998, and disapply the 1951 Refugee Convention in order to prevent judicial challenges to its proposed reforms. Home Office staff who presently manage asylum claims would be redirected to review and potentially overturn previously granted refugee protections. The party would also seek to pressure other nations—such as Pakistan, Somalia, Eritrea, Syria, Afghanistan, and Sudan—to accept deported individuals by imposing visa bans and tariffs. If these countries refuse cooperation, further measures could include banning their airlines from UK airspace and restricting transit rights for their citizens. In cases where potential deportations are not feasible, Reform indicates it would pursue agreements with third-party countries to take custody of these individuals.
Opposition to these proposals came swiftly. Labour chairperson Bridget Phillipson described the measures as a “clear sign of desperation and weakness,” condemning the abandonment of those fleeing conflict and persecution as an assault on shared values. Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp, while critical, claimed Reform’s plans largely repurpose Conservative policies, emphasizing that only the Conservative Party has a “serious and credible plan” to address border controls. Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat spokesperson Max Wilkinson accused both Reform and the Conservatives of being responsible for the “failed asylum system” and exploiting it for political gain. He advocated for the UK’s participation in the EU migration and asylum pact as the proper route to restore order and fairness in the system.
Recent government actions include Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s announcement that individuals granted refugee status would now receive temporary protection subject to review every 30 months. Mahmood has also restarted the UK Resettlement Scheme aimed at providing safe and legal pathways, hoping this would encourage refugees to avoid hazardous small boat crossings. About a quarter of arrivals via this scheme are expected to be Afghan women and girls as well as Palestinians. Meanwhile, Conservative proposals from the previous year similarly included banning asylum claims from people entering illegally, dismantling immigration tribunals, ending some resettlement routes, and withdrawing from the ECHR. The Conservatives also set a goal to remove 750,000 illegal immigrants within five years. In contrast, the Liberal Democrats argue that aligning with EU frameworks is key to managing migration effectively
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