Reform UK vows navy would stop small boats if in power

Reform UK said on Monday that it would use Britain's navy to stop small boats crossing the English Channel and return them to France if the party wins power.

Zia Yusuf, the party's home affairs spokesman, described the proposal as “the largest military operation in the English Channel since World War Two”. He said Nigel Farage would order the Royal Navy to ensure that no unauthorised vessel crossing the Channel reached the United Kingdom.

Military experts and opposition parties challenged the plan. Former Royal Navy commander Tom Sharpe told AFP that using the navy to ferry people back to France against French wishes “doesn't add up”.

Britain and France signed a new three-year agreement in April aimed at stopping irregular Channel crossings. Under that deal, London is to pay Paris up to 766 million euros, or $897 million, for increased law enforcement.

The next UK general election is not due until 2029.