Reform UK is facing internal discord as disagreements over its immigration stance have emerged. Zia Yusuf, the party’s home affairs spokesperson, and Robert Jenrick, the economic lead, have clashed regarding proposals to deport hundreds of thousands of individuals from the UK.
This rift comes at a challenging juncture for Nigel Farage, as his party has been embroiled in controversy following remarks made by their by-election candidate in Makerfield, who is challenging Andy Burnham.
The disagreement stemmed from Jenrick’s statement on Sky News, suggesting that under a Reform Government, foreign residents legally residing in the UK and living in social housing would not automatically face deportation. In response, Yusuf publicly disapproved of Jenrick’s position, asserting that individuals in social housing at the taxpayer’s expense would fail the economic test and be subject to deportation.
Labour’s immigration minister, Mike Tapp, criticized Reform UK, stating that the party appears to be improvising without a clear plan or consensus on their principles. Tapp highlighted Labour’s achievements in managing net migration levels and enhancing various aspects of governance.
Recent data from the Office for National Statistics reveals a significant drop in net migration to the UK under the Labour Government, with figures decreasing by nearly half compared to the previous year. This decline reflects the lowest migration numbers since the implementation of the post-Brexit immigration system in early 2021, coupled with ongoing Covid-19 travel restrictions.