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Reform UK has announced its plan to host migrant detention facilities in constituencies that have voted for Green representation.

(104 Posts)
LemonJam Mon 04-May-26 12:20:09

Some early reactions:
1) The Scottish Greens’ co-leader, Ross Greer, has dismissed Reform UK’s plan as “pathetic” and “Trumpesque”. He said: Reform are now openly threatening voters and not only that they’re threatening them with a power they don’t actually have. This is absolutely pathetic. People across Scotland are proud of the fact that this is a welcoming country that shows solidarity to people who need it. Reform are essentially saying ‘If you don’t vote the way we want you to, we will punish you’.

2) Fraser Nelson, Times columnist, “Another significant evolution in Reform’s style of politics. Its proposed internment camps will only be built in parts of the country that vote for its rivals. This is a new departure for UK politics: rejecting the idea of PM-for-all and instead a new partisan style.

3) Gideon Rachman, the Financial Times’ chief foreign affairs commentator, “I think most British people believe in the basic principle that no matter who you vote for, the government will treat you equally under the law. Yusuf’s plan to put detention camps in Green voting areas violates that. It is trolling as public policy and I think will damage Reform.

4) David Aaronovitch, the Radio 4, “The practical and legal problems seem insuperable. No non Reform local council would agree to it. So it’s not really a serious policy. The biggest concentrations of illegal migrants are almost certainly in the cities. You shouldn’t confuse them with the asylum seekers being accommodated in hostels. It’s likely that potential Green voters are already living among them”.

Devorgilla Mon 04-May-26 15:21:54

This smacks of the very early days when the male workers first got the vote. Votes were counted by raising your hand, thus giving the landlord or employer a good idea who the dissenters were. Jobs were lost. That's why we got the secret ballot. Let's hope people choose carefully for their councillors on Thursday. They are stuck for three years with whomever they vote in.

Whitewavemark2 Mon 04-May-26 15:35:05

LizzieDrip

JaneJudge

but why is it a punishment? some has to live by a detention centre

it is just feeding into fear and hate

JaneJudge it’s about the wider implications and principles of democracy - not just about where immigrants are housed.

For instance, if Reform won the next GE (God forbid), but my constituency voted in a Labour MP, I would not expect my town to be treated differently to others (on any issue) just because we voted Labour.

That’s the foundation of democracy. We all accept the result of the GE and whichever party wins, governs over all of us equally.

I agree with other posters on here, it’s probably either just Reform loud mouthed rhetoric, and best ignored, or it’s illegal.

However, I find the fact that Reform are even contemplating this extremely worrying.

Yes in this country, there has always been equality before the law.

LizzieDrip Mon 04-May-26 15:37:14

Devorgilla

This smacks of the very early days when the male workers first got the vote. Votes were counted by raising your hand, thus giving the landlord or employer a good idea who the dissenters were. Jobs were lost. That's why we got the secret ballot. Let's hope people choose carefully for their councillors on Thursday. They are stuck for three years with whomever they vote in.

Yes, we must learn from the past.

westendgirl Mon 04-May-26 15:48:36

Lowest of the low , but we shouldn't be surprised. Look who Farage's grand master is. Perhaps he's hoping for a pat on the head and a bone or a treat for this idea.

JaneJudge Mon 04-May-26 16:30:07

I don't disagree with all that any of you say regarding reform and this being illegal BUT reactions to this also play into what they want to create..an 'US and THEM' rhetoric, even between voters

LemonJam Mon 04-May-26 16:43:08

JaneJudge

I don't disagree with all that any of you say regarding reform and this being illegal BUT reactions to this also play into what they want to create..an 'US and THEM' rhetoric, even between voters

The "Us and Them" rhetoric is coming from Reform. Voters don't have to play into it- they can choose not to.

Disagreeing with Reform's threats and rhetoric is allowed in a democracy- or at least it is at the moment.

JaneJudge Mon 04-May-26 16:53:27

Thank goodness smile

butterandjam Mon 04-May-26 17:09:36

twaddle

Maremia

For this to happen they would have to be voted in.

Unfortunately, it's enough of a bribe to ensure that they will in some areas.

Hardly a bribe, it's a threat.

imaround Mon 04-May-26 17:11:30

This type of messaging is how Trump got elected.

For what it is worth.

twaddle Mon 04-May-26 17:16:56

LemonJam

JaneJudge

I don't disagree with all that any of you say regarding reform and this being illegal BUT reactions to this also play into what they want to create..an 'US and THEM' rhetoric, even between voters

The "Us and Them" rhetoric is coming from Reform. Voters don't have to play into it- they can choose not to.

Disagreeing with Reform's threats and rhetoric is allowed in a democracy- or at least it is at the moment.

Maybe I could print that as a slogan on a few thousand flags and fly them on lamp posts wink.

TheatreLover Mon 04-May-26 17:24:38

LemonJam

fancythat

I cant take some of the things said in politics, seriously any more.

Do you think Reform announcing this plan this as a joke and has no foundation or intention?

We can all keep our fingers crossed that is the case. However if Reform proceed to implement their plans, if and when they are elected, you will then realise they meant what they said.

What do you think Reform would do in office if not what they say they are going to do?

I'm not sure whether this is a joke or not, but it has crossed my mind that the announcement may be a diversionary tactic against the publicity being given currently to the huge donations that have been made to Reform, and separately to Farage personally, by Christopher Harborne?

DaisyAnneReturns Mon 04-May-26 17:34:00

Maremia

For this to happen they would have to be voted in.

Some voters who feel disadvantaged are drawn to policies that promise to restore their position. Those policies can sometimes negatively affect other groups but the motivation is usually perceived fairness or self-interest, not a simple desire to harm. Reform plays on this.

DaisyAnneReturns Mon 04-May-26 17:36:49

This gives a wider viewpoint: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlLCUZNf7ls

LemonJam Mon 04-May-26 17:38:34

TheatreLover

LemonJam

fancythat

I cant take some of the things said in politics, seriously any more.

Do you think Reform announcing this plan this as a joke and has no foundation or intention?

We can all keep our fingers crossed that is the case. However if Reform proceed to implement their plans, if and when they are elected, you will then realise they meant what they said.

What do you think Reform would do in office if not what they say they are going to do?

I'm not sure whether this is a joke or not, but it has crossed my mind that the announcement may be a diversionary tactic against the publicity being given currently to the huge donations that have been made to Reform, and separately to Farage personally, by Christopher Harborne?

No Joke- plan announced via the media and on their website- at the end is a handy tracker for you to put in your post code and it will tell you if you are living in a current Green area- in which case it encourages you to vote for Reform:

"REFORM UK POLICY- VOTE GREEN GET ILLEGALS.

In order to deport all illegal migrants in Britain, a Reform government will build detention capacity for at least 24,000 illegal migrants at a time. They will not be able to leave the detention centres, and be held for a short period while they await deportation. We understand people feel strongly about living near detention sites. So we make this guarantee:

Based on results from local elections and the next general election, no detention centre will be placed in any constituency with a Reform MP, or in any council area controlled by Reform.

Of the remaining areas, given the Green Party advocate for open borders, we will prioritise Green-held constituencies and Green-run councils to put these sites.

Enter your postcode to see what polls look like in your area:
Your postcode

CHECK MY AREA

STAND WITH REFORM
Sign up and we'll keep you in the loop on the campaign."

imaround Mon 04-May-26 17:42:18

That is exactly how Trump got elected DaisyAnn.

I know you all say it won't happen there, we said that in the US, and here we are. The messaging coming out of Reform is exactly the same messaging Trump gave out before his first Presidency.

Never underestimate the power of disgruntled voters who feel they are being harmed in one way or another by the "others" in the world.

foxie48 Mon 04-May-26 17:46:53

Yest another example of Reform trying to appeal to the racism and xenophobia that exists in some people. It is straight out of the Trump play book.

LemonJam Mon 04-May-26 17:53:20

DaisyAnneReturns

This gives a wider viewpoint: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlLCUZNf7ls

He can see into my brain!

DaisyAnneReturns Mon 04-May-26 18:07:08

imaround

That is exactly how Trump got elected DaisyAnn.

I know you all say it won't happen there, we said that in the US, and here we are. The messaging coming out of Reform is exactly the same messaging Trump gave out before his first Presidency.

Never underestimate the power of disgruntled voters who feel they are being harmed in one way or another by the "others" in the world.

Not "all" say it won't happen but those wanting to believe it (that includes me on optimistic days) are relying on our different culture to stop it.

I'm not sure we know just how deeply British society has been overtaken, but it has undergone significant Americanisation, particularly the absorption of market-driven norms into traditionally social-democratic institutions.

DaisyAnneReturns Mon 04-May-26 18:08:47

LemonJam

DaisyAnneReturns

This gives a wider viewpoint: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlLCUZNf7ls

He can see into my brain!

He does a lot of research - maybe your brain was includedgrin

imaround Mon 04-May-26 19:40:02

I apologize Daisy. I used an Americanism there. Of course not "all". flowers

LizzieDrip Mon 04-May-26 20:20:59

imaround

This type of messaging is how Trump got elected.

For what it is worth.

Thank you imaround - your perspective is worth its weight in gold.

I genuinely fear for the UK if Reform gain any significant power. They could do so much damage to the country I love.

valdali Mon 04-May-26 22:54:45

Kandinsky

Can’t see the problem?
Surely anyone who votes Green would welcome having 1000’s of migrants living amongst them?
I’m surprised they’d have an issue tbh.

It's like the £350 million a week for the NHS that we were promised by Brexit campaigners, that never materialised.

Yes Reform voters will like the idea of the centres & love the fact they're going to be in their political rivals' backyards. But actually even if Reform got a majority & formed a government, they couldn't make it happen. And I'm sure Reform know this, but they seem to think their supporters are too stupid to realise.

butterandjam Mon 04-May-26 23:09:19

Nandalot

nanna8

The Vikings did but that was a while ago now and they were better boats

So did the Angles, the Saxons, Jutes and the Normans.

and the Romans, Dutch, Spanish, French, Arabs, Africans before planes were invented, all immigrants to Britain came by boat. Just bigger boats.

nanna8 Tue 05-May-26 00:25:17

Only the purebred Welsh should really live there 🤪Deport everyone else. Has Farage got any Welsh. blood ? Doubt it ….

friendlygingercat Tue 05-May-26 00:42:07

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