Reform UK is set to unveil 'Operation Fortress,' a plan that would see the armed forces deployed in the English Channel to prevent small boat arrivals from reaching British shores. The party says the operation would be the largest military undertaking in the Channel since World War Two.
The plan
The proposal, due to be announced later today, centres on using smaller Royal Navy craft with Royal Marines on board to intercept and escort migrant dinghies back to France. Zia Yusuf, Reform's Home Affairs spokesman, told BBC Radio 4: "Not a single illegal migrant trying to cross the Channel will make it to our shores as part of the plan."
Yusuf defended the humanitarian aspect of the operation, arguing that those attempting the crossing are often fleeing danger and that the boats would be "full of innocent civilians who are being rescued as part of a humanitarian mission." He asserted that preventing them from landing would constitute a "crime against humanity."
Scepticism from military experts
Former Royal Navy commander Tom Sharpe questioned the feasibility of the proposal. Speaking on the BBC's Today programme, he said: "When you start looking at what ships we have, which is basically none – I mean, he's talking about the largest maritime operation in the Channel since World War Two, a very evocative image, but that's not the reality."
Sharpe also pointed out that the UK already has the Border Force, which is tasked with intercepting migrants attempting to reach the country. He warned that France would need to give its approval for any return operation, adding: "It needs their total approval, which I don't think we'll get. And frankly, you know, brutally, why would we?"
Diplomatic concerns
Yusuf conceded that there could be friction with Paris over the plan. He said London and Paris would need to have "something of an argument" if the French refused to take back migrants escorted by the Royal Navy. However, he dismissed the idea that President Emmanuel Macron would order French forces to block such returns, reiterating that doing so would be a "crime against humanity."
The proposal comes amid ongoing efforts by the Government to reduce Channel crossings. Cabinet minister Miatta Fahnbulleh defended the current approach, saying ministers would continue with it "because it is working – 50% down on last year." Official figures show 14,526 crossings recorded so far this year, a 43% drop from 25,436 at the same point last year and a 14% decline from 16,903 in the same period in 2024.
Ceuta comparison
Reform has drawn parallels with the recent mass incursion at the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, where around 60,000 migrants breached the border. Yusuf, who was on the ground, claimed that Spanish authorities managed to turn back "north of 40k illegal migrants in the space of a day." He argued that Spain's decisive response under global pressure had an "unprecedented effect on migration in the space of 48 hours."
Labour's response
The Labour Party criticised the announcement, with a spokesperson saying: "Reform have reheated an old announcement in their latest desperate bid to distract from their growing sleaze scandals. Anger and easy answers won't bring crossings down. The serious action we've taken has started to have a real impact and has led to 46,000 attempted crossings stopped, and 70,000 people with no right to be here removed. We know there's more to do on this complex issue."
Political implications
The announcement sets the stage for a fierce political debate on immigration, with Reform positioning itself as the party prepared to take the toughest possible stance. While the plan is likely to appeal to voters prioritising border security, critics argue it is impractical and could severely damage UK-France relations. As the details emerge, the proposal is expected to face intense scrutiny both at home and abroad.
