NIGEL Farage’s call for the mass deportation of migrants risks emboldening the far-right and fanning the flames of protests outside of hotels housing asylum seekers.
In recent weeks, hotels in England and Scotland have been the target of anti-immigration protests, and counter-demonstrations from anti-racism activists.
Already a flashpoint for discontent pushed by right-wing politicians and commentators attacking those who have sought refuge in the UK, the ruling last week by the High Court that a hotel in Epping could remove asylum seekers has emboldened protesters.
Farage claimed that ruling, which largely hinged on planning laws and the Bell Hotel owners’ failure to apply for a material change of use, as a “victory”. He urged other local authorities to challenge the Home Office in court.
It is widely accepted that hotels are not the answer to what many see as the problem of illegal immigrants. Enver Solomon, chief executive of Refugee Council, said following the Epping ruling that they are the “wrong answer” and refugees should be housed in communities.
“They cost the taxpayer billions, trap people in limbo and are flashpoints in communities,” he said.
Scenes seen over the past weekend, particularly in Perth, have heightened this sense of a “flashpoint”.
And on Saturday, the Reform leader set out his plans for mass deportations during a lengthy interview with The Times.
It is, sadly, not a surprising policy choice.
In January, Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), Germany’s far-right populist party, said they would close Germany’s borders and embraced “remigration” – the mass “return” or deportation of migrants.
Austria’s far-right Freedom party (FPO) called for the European Union (EU) to name a “remigration commissioner” in June 2024, and used the phrase frequently in an election campaign later that year. FPO would go on to win that campaign, the first time the far-right had won in the country since the Nazis.
Donald Trump also embraced the term “remigration”, using the phrase in a tweet that racked up more than 56 million views during the last presidential election. He vowed he would “end the migrant invasion of America” if re-elected.
What did Farage say?
Ahead of publishing proposals that will include the mass deportation of thousands of asylum seekers, Farage told The Times that Reform’s policies will include arresting refugees on arrival, and automatic detention and forced deportation – with no right of appeal.
Reform will also seek to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), a policy some in the Tory party have called for before. Leaving the ECHR, and scrapping the Human Rights Act, would remove fundamental rights for those seeking asylum.
“The aim of this legislation is mass deportations,” Farage told the newspaper.
“We have a massive crisis in Britain. It is not only posing a national security threat but it’s leading to public anger that frankly is not very far away from disorder.
Reform’s Illegal Migration (Mass Deportation) Bill, Farage says, would make it illegal for people to come to the UK through so-called “illegal routes”. They would be detained on RAF bases and deported.
Removing the UK from the Refugee Convention, which outlines legal protections and rights for refugees, the UN Convention Against Torture, and Council of Europe’s anti-trafficking convention are all on Reform’s agenda.
Farage claims this is essential as the UK is facing a “state of emergency”.
But in reality, it is a chilling approach that will further dehumanise refugees and create an even more hostile atmosphere.
Its latest announcement is a fast-track system that will replace judges with adjudicators to speed up moving asylum seekers out of hotels.
A question for the UK Government is – as well as fast-tracking applications, will it stand up for refugees in the face of hatred? Or will it capitulate even more to Farage’s demands as he grows ever closer to securing the keys to Number 10?
Refugees are welcome here
On Monday, The National launches a new series highlighting positive stories of refugees in Scotland.
It couldn’t come at a more pertinent moment.
After a protest outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Perth on Saturday, Grant Laing, the leader of the local authority, was forced to dispel misinformation that sparked the protests.
Falkirk has also seen protests. One protester was seen waving a flag reading "Kill 'em all and let God sort 'em out", while a speaker called to "keep Britain white" in a speech.
Media attacks, social media rumours, and disinformation are bringing this issue to a boiling point.
Farage’s plan is simply fanning the flames, and it won’t be the super-rich who fund Reform who suffer, but those who have sought sanctuary in the UK after fleeing the unimaginable.
