Reform UK Vows to Examine All Asylum Applications from the Past Five Years Upon Securing Power

Reform UK has outlined a plan to reassess every asylum claim made in the last five years if the party secures a majority in the upcoming general election. The policy, which could result in the removal of approximately 400,000 individuals, aims to target those who received asylum status, overstayed their visa, or originated from nations classified as safe under a Reform administration. This initiative follows recent efforts by the Labour government to tighten immigration controls, such as dismantling human trafficking networks, closing asylum accommodations, and extending the waiting period for indefinite leave to remain.

Policy Details

The proposed measures would also see the UK withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to streamline deportation processes. Additionally, Reform intends to eliminate the right to permanent settlement after five years, a move designed to curb long-term residency for those entering illegally. Party leader Nigel Farage previously stated that restricting small boat arrivals could lead to the removal of up to 600,000 people over the next five years.

Political Reactions

“For years, Tory and Labour governments have presided over an invasion of Britain,” said Reform’s home affairs spokesman, Zia Yusuf. “Instead of upholding the law, they have rewarded those who broke it by entering Britain illegally. Reform will reverse this.”

Labour has defended its record, asserting that it is addressing the issue by holding previous Conservative administrations accountable. A Labour spokesperson claimed the party has already prevented over 42,000 illegal migrants from crossing the Channel since the last election and removed or deported nearly 60,000 individuals without legal grounds.

“We have stopped over 42,000 illegal migrants attempting to cross the Channel since the general election,” the spokesperson added. “We have removed or deported nearly 60,000 people with no right to be here.”

Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp accused Reform of “badly copying” his party’s proposals, noting that Conservatives had already introduced detailed plans to exit the ECHR and ban asylum claims for undocumented arrivals. “The Tories would deport 150,000 immigrants annually who have no right to be in the UK,” Philp stated. “Reform is slowly catching up with our ideas—but without the detail that will ensure it works in practice.”

“Reviewing five years worth of asylum grants is an impractical farce that will just slow down the process even more,” said Liberal Democrat immigration and asylum spokesman Will Forster. “The backlog of cases is already sky high thanks to the mess the Conservatives left us in.”

Forster criticized Reform’s strategy as “hostile and headline-grabbing,” arguing it fails to address the root issues of the UK’s overwhelmed asylum system. His party advocates for temporary processing centers to resolve the backlog within six months, allowing those with valid claims to settle while expediting the return of others.

The Greens have been approached for their response to the policy, but no official statement has been released yet. Readers can sign up for the Politics Essential newsletter to receive daily insights and analysis on UK political developments.