The UK Conservative Party, led by Kemi Badenoch, has announced a sweeping new immigration policy aimed at deporting 750,000 illegal immigrants within the next five years — a move that has sparked widespread debate and comparisons to Donald Trump’s immigration strategy in the United States.
Unveiled during the party’s annual conference in Manchester, the proposal marks one of the toughest immigration overhauls in recent UK history. Badenoch said the plan is designed to “restore control over Britain’s borders” and ensure that immigration laws are enforced more effectively.
Key Provisions of the Conservative Immigration Plan
Under the new proposal:
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Illegal entrants would be permanently barred from claiming asylum in the UK.
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Failed asylum seekers would lose the right to challenge deportation decisions in court, with appeals handled directly by Home Office officials instead of independent judges.
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A new “Removals Force” would replace the existing immigration enforcement unit, operating with an additional £820 million in annual funding.
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The force would target the removal of at least 150,000 individuals per year, including undocumented migrants, recent arrivals, and foreign nationals convicted of crimes.
Badenoch emphasized that those without legal status “should return to their countries of origin or to another safe nation willing to accept them.” She added, “We cannot have a situation where we cannot deport people because we don’t know where they will go. That is a defeatist attitude, and I will not have that.”
Funding and Enforcement
The Conservative government plans to finance the initiative by closing down costly asylum hotels, redirecting the savings into the new enforcement system. To accommodate faster deportations, detention centers will be expanded to hold up to 2,000 migrants at a time.
The party also intends to limit asylum eligibility strictly to individuals persecuted by their governments, excluding those fleeing wars, religious restrictions, or laws targeting sexuality.
Judicial and Legal Changes
In a major shake-up of the immigration system, the Immigration Tribunal would be abolished, with appeal processes shifted to Home Office staff. The Conservatives also plan to end taxpayer-funded legal aid for immigration cases, claiming that decisions will be based on “clear, fair, and transparent criteria.”
Additionally, Badenoch confirmed that the UK would withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to prevent asylum seekers from using the treaty to block deportations. She argued that leaving the ECHR would “restore Parliament’s authority” and prevent “activist judges” from overturning national policy.
Political Implications
The announcement comes amid growing pressure from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, which has advocated for similar measures, including ECHR withdrawal and large-scale deportations. Badenoch defended the Conservative plan as “credible and legally sound,” citing support from former Justice Minister Lord Wolfson of Tredegar.
During her keynote speech, Badenoch urged party members to rally around a message of unity and cultural preservation, stating:
“Nations cannot survive on diversity alone. We need a strong common culture rooted in our history, our language, and our belief in liberty under the law. That is why borders matter — and why culture matters.”
The proposed immigration overhaul sets the stage for a major political confrontation with the Labour government, which has opted to remain in the ECHR but also pledged to crack down on illegal Channel crossings through alternative reforms.
