Reform UK leader Nigel Farage unveiled ‘Operation Fortress’.
Britain’s right-wing Reform UK party has unveiled ‘Operation Fortress’, a military-led plan that it says would end illegal migrant crossings across the English Channel if it comes to power.Party leader Nigel Farage described it as the “largest military operation in the Channel since World War II,” promising to deploy the Royal Navy to intercept small boats and return migrants to France.
What is Operation Fortress?
Under the proposed policy, the Royal Navy would be tasked with intercepting migrant boats attempting to cross the English Channel and escorting them back to France. Reform UK claims the operation would make Britain’s borders “impenetrable” and end small-boat crossings within weeks.”Under a Reform government, within a fortnight, there would be no more boats,” Farage said while unveiling the plan.
Ceuta crisis cited as warning for Europe
Announcing the proposal on Monday, Farage pointed to the recent migrant surge in Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta, saying the crisis highlighted the rising challenge of irregular migration across Europe. Last week, thousands of migrants attempted to enter Ceuta from neighbouring Morocco, putting fresh pressure on Spanish authorities and reigniting the debate over Europe’s border security. Reform UK argued that Britain must act before facing a similar situation, using the developments in Ceuta as justification for its tougher border strategy.
Experts question feasibility
The proposal, however, drew immediate criticism from military experts and political opponents, who questioned both its legality and practicality.Andrew Fox, a former British paratrooper and senior associate fellow at the Henry Jackson Society think tank, said the plan overlooked key legal and operational hurdles, news agency Reuters reported.According to Fox, British warships cannot enter French territorial waters, seize migrant boats or disembark passengers in France without Paris’ consent.Former Royal Navy commander Tom Sharpe also dismissed the proposal, saying naval vessels are not designed to function as “passenger ferries” and cannot simply return migrants against France’s wishes.
Why is Reform UK pushing the plan now?
The announcement comes as Reform UK faces scrutiny over donations and financial disclosures involving senior party figures, with recent opinion polls showing the party losing its lead after more than a year.Labour accused Reform of recycling old immigration proposals to divert attention from questions over its finances.Meanwhile, Prime Minister Andy Burnham has also vowed “relentless” action to curb small-boat crossings after more than 2,000 migrants reportedly arrived in Britain during the first two weeks of his premiership.
Britain and France already have migration pact
Britain and France signed a three-year agreement earlier this year under which London will provide up to 766 million euros to help France strengthen efforts to prevent small-boat crossings across the Channel.Despite those measures, migration remains one of Britain’s most controversial political issues, with thousands continuing to attempt the dangerous sea crossing each year. Go to Source
