Reform UK has faced criticism following a statement by one of Nigel Farage’s top aides suggesting the possibility of sending asylum seekers to the Falkland Islands or Gibraltar if the party comes into power.
Sarah Pochin, an MP representing Runcorn and Helsby, did not dismiss the “concerning” notion when questioned about the party’s stance on utilizing British overseas territories as a backup plan for asylum seekers.
During a Westminster Hall debate, Labour MP Luke Charters expressed his unease at the proposal, urging Ms. Pochin to clarify whether Reform UK would exclude the Falkland Islands from their asylum strategy.
In response, Ms. Pochin declined to rule out any potential policies and declined further inquiries on the matter.
Another Labour MP, Kevin Bonavia, praised the UK’s new returns agreement with France as a positive step, contrasting it with the idea of using overseas territories to accommodate migrants. He criticized Ms. Pochin for not explicitly ruling out the use of the Falkland Islands for asylum processing.
Nigel Farage has claimed that a government led by Reform UK would deport 600,000 migrants within five years, raising questions about the feasibility of such a plan, especially amid talks of potential agreements with the Taliban.
In a previous statement back in 2023, Reform MP Lee Anderson, formerly a senior Tory, expressed reservations about the idea of sending migrants to the Falkland Islands, proposing alternative locations like the Orkney Islands or remote Scottish isles for housing asylum seekers.
Anderson emphasized the need for a more suitable solution for individuals fleeing war or persecution, suggesting that accommodating them on British soil, such as in Scotland, would be more appropriate.