Reform UK has unveiled proposals to deport 600,000 illegal migrants and establish return agreements with countries including Afghanistan if it wins the next general election. Nigel Farage announced on Tuesday that he would even consider paying regimes such as the Taliban to ensure the acceptance of deported nationals. A Telegraph poll found that 70 per cent of over 28,000 respondents supported Reform’s approach. Farage argued that the UK cannot bear responsibility for all global issues, with readers echoing the sentiment that charity begins at home.
++ Medical breakthrough: pig lung transplant into human shows initial success
Supporters praised the plan as pragmatic and necessary, with many citing Germany’s recent deportation deal with the Taliban as an example. Telegraph readers argued that Britain’s inaction was due to its political judiciary and stressed the importance of putting citizen safety first. Some hailed Farage as a bold leader willing to tackle a problem other parties would ignore, contrasting Reform’s approach with Labour’s alleged reluctance to negotiate return agreements.
However, critics condemned the plan, highlighting the Taliban’s harsh treatment of women, Christians, and other minority groups. Concern was raised over the moral and ethical implications of sending migrants back to Afghanistan, with one reader labelling the idea of paying the Taliban as “morally bankrupt and spectacularly naive”. Others warned that such payments could turn the UK into a hostage of the regime, while highlighting the risk of persecution and even execution for returnees.
++ Isle of wight Helicopter crash: operators urge caution over pilot error claims
The debate illustrated a deep divide among the British public, with supporters emphasising national security and pragmatic diplomacy, while opponents stressed human rights, gender equality, and the dangers of funding a terrorist regime. The discussion around Reform’s proposals underlined broader tensions in Britain’s immigration and foreign policy, highlighting the challenge of balancing security with moral responsibility.
