Reform UK Plans Migrant Detention Centres in Green-Voting Areas, Ignores Own Constituencies

Reform UK has outlined a proposal to construct migrant detention centres for individuals awaiting deportation specifically within parliamentary constituencies and local council areas that support the Green Party. This policy marks a strategic shift from earlier plans to site such facilities in remote regions, as part of an ambition to detain up to 24,000 people within 18 months of gaining power.

Targeting Green-Controlled Regions

Zia Yusuf, Reform UK's home affairs spokesperson, justified the prioritisation of Green-controlled areas by claiming the Green Party advocates for 'open borders'. Yusuf stated, 'Given the Green Party advocate for open borders and for an infinite number of undocumented men to come here, we will prioritise Green constituencies and Green-controlled councils to locate these detention centres.' Crucially, Reform UK also confirmed it would avoid placing these centres in areas where it holds parliamentary seats or controls local government.

In response, a Green Party spokesperson condemned the idea as 'disgusting' and accused Reform of 'making abhorrent announcements in attempts to distract voters' from other policy considerations. The spokesperson clarified the Green Party's position, stating, 'We want a fair and managed immigration system. We recognise we have an ageing population and agree the current system is broken, but we are not into performative cruelty.' Green Party leader Zack Polanski previously acknowledged that 'open borders' were 'not a pragmatic' solution.

Widespread Condemnation and Cost Implications

The proposal has elicited strong rebukes from across the political spectrum. Labour Party chair Anna Turley labelled the Reform UK idea a 'grotesque policy,' accusing Nigel Farage of attempting to 'drive a toxic wedge between our communities.' Chris Philp, Shadow Home Secretary, dismissed Reform as 'not a serious party' with a 'not a serious policy,' suggesting it was 'made up on the spot for a social media video.'

Liberal Democrats' home affairs spokesperson Max Wilkinson characterised the announcement as 'a squabble between two parties who don't have the solutions,' while Scotland's First Minister John Swinney described it as an 'illustration of the dangerous nature of Reform's politics' and an 'attempt to divide communities.' Plaid Cymru also criticised the plan as a 'deliberate effort to sow division and spread hate.'

Reform UK also intends to introduce a Mass Deportation Detention Act, aiming to grant the home secretary powers to override local council objections to the establishment of these centres. The party envisions detainees remaining in these 'closed' facilities for approximately two weeks before deportation. Official figures indicate that constructing such facilities currently costs approximately £500,000 per bed, meaning Reform's plan for 24,000 new spaces could incur a cost of around £12 billion.