British right-wing populists want to deport hundreds of thousands

During a speech, Farage spread the unsubstantiated image of a "real threat to public order" and an "invasion" by people entering the country irregularly. Farage's Reform UK party has recently been well ahead in some polls.

"The mood in the country on this issue is a mixture of utter despair and growing anger," said Farage during the presentation of his "Operation Restoring Justice" program. In a first term of office from 2029, the deportation of 600,000 migrants would be possible, according to Farage. The fate of people who could face torture and violence in their home country if they were returned would take second place to the interests of British citizens, said the reform leader.

Farage repeatedly referred to migration in small boats across the English Channel, which is a political issue in the UK. Anyone who wanted to enter the country via this route would be sent back under him as Prime Minister, said Farage a few days before his party's annual conference (September 5 and 6). Children and women would also be arrested on arrival.

Farage spreads image of dangerous young migrants

In the first six months of this year, around 21,100 people crossed the English Channel into the UK irregularly - an increase of almost 56 percent compared to the same period last year and more than ever before, the BBC reported, citing Home Office figures. In 2024, a total of 430,000 more people had immigrated to the UK than had left the country permanently.

Farage emphasized that the vast majority of irregular migrants coming across the Channel were young men who would then pose a danger on British roads and possibly even to national security. He did not provide any evidence for this either.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer's current Labour government recently reached an agreement with France to combat irregular migration across the English Channel. This allows the British to send migrants who have crossed the English Channel back to France. In return for each return, another person with a connection to the UK, for example through family ties, can enter via a safe route.