Reform UK unveiled plans to use military personnel, including Royal Marines, to forcibly return small boat migrants to France or Belgium, overriding French objections if necessary. The party calls it the largest Channel operation since WWII, but the Conservatives and other critics deem the policy unworkable and not credible.
Reform UK announced plans to use the Royal Navy to intercept small boats in the English Channel and return migrants to France or Belgium, a proposal dubbed "operation fortress." The party's home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf claims this is possible despite international law and potential diplomatic arguments with France, while the government emphasizes tackling criminal gangs and providing safe routes.
X has repeatedly refused to remove dozens of social media posts containing racist abuse against UK politicians, including Kemi Badenoch and Shabana Mahmood. Researchers found X only acts when posts are reported as illegal under the UK's Online Safety Act, often restricting visibility only within the UK.
‘Grotesque’ policy is seen as effort to sharpen dividing lines before local electionsComing just days before millions go to the polls, Zia Yusuf’s announcement that a Reform government would “prioritise” the siting of migrant detention centres in areas with Green MPs or councils was certainly eye-catching.“That means areas like right here in Brighton,” Reform’s shadow home secretary said with barely concealed relish in a video in which he paced the beachfront at the constituency that elected Britain’s first Green MP. Continue reading...
Reform UK received a £200,000 donation from JCB in November 2025, after party figures including Nigel Farage repeatedly promoted the company's PotHole Pro machine. Farage entered a rally on the vehicle last year, calling it a symbol of 'broken Britain.' Liberal Democrats have complained to the Electoral Commission, questioning whether public contracts are being traded for political patronage. Two Reform-run councils have adopted the machines through proper procurement, though a 2021 trial in Lincolnshire initially found the machine ineffective.
Reform UK’s leading figures repeatedly promoted JCB’s pothole-fixing machine before the company donated £200,000 to the party. Nigel Farage, Lee Anderson, Robert Jenrick, Zia Yusuf and Richard Tice all praised the PotHole Pro, with Farage entering a rally on one of the vehicles. JCB made the £200,000 donation in November 2025 after years of funding the Conservatives. Two Reform-run councils have adopted the machines, while the Liberal Democrats have complained to the Electoral Commission questioning whether public contracts are being traded for political patronage.
Reform UK politicians have frequently promoted JCB's 'PotHole Pro' machine, raising questions after the company donated £200,000 to the party. The Liberal Democrats have requested an investigation into potential political patronage.
