Reform says it would use Navy to stop small boats
Reform UK Proposes Naval Interception for Channel Crossings
Constantvpn.com – Reform UK has unveiled an ambitious strategy to deploy the Royal Navy in intercepting migrant vessels traversing the English Channel. The party intends to send these boats back to either France or Belgium under what it describes as the most significant military undertaking in the Channel since the conclusion of World War Two.
Operation Fortress Takes Shape
During an upcoming press briefing, the party will reveal details of “Operation Fortress,” a scheme already backed by former senior military personnel. According to Zia Yusuf, the party’s home affairs spokesperson, Royal Navy ships would intercept every migrant boat as part of a humanitarian effort. Yusuf characterized the initiative as “humanitarian missions” and maintained that it aligns with European Convention on Human Rights obligations. He specifically referenced Article 2, which safeguards the right to life, as a foundation for the plan’s compatibility with existing legal frameworks.
It would be possible to return migrants without requiring French agreement, according to Yusuf.
When questioned about whether the UK could send migrants back without French consent, Yusuf expressed confidence that such arrangements were feasible. He acknowledged that diplomatic discussions might arise if French authorities declined to accept escorted migrants, but emphasized that France maintains “a commitment under international law” to process these individuals.
Government Response and Current Statistics
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has committed to being “relentless” in addressing small boat crossings. He has emphasized the necessity of establishing systems that provide asylum seekers with “safe routes” into the country. Since Burnham assumed office, more than 2,000 migrants have reached the UK via small boats, with 326 individuals crossing on Saturday alone.
We absolutely need to get a grip on small boat crossings, but we are also cracking down on criminal gangs and boosting enforcement.
Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh told BBC Radio 4 that while the government must address crossings, the approach involves spending considerable time negotiating with France. She noted that Burnham’s administration is simultaneously targeting smuggling networks and strengthening enforcement capabilities. The Prime Minister visited Dover over the weekend, announcing that the government was “changing the whole approach” to small boat management. He highlighted that enforcement officers working against people-smuggling operations have doubled on both sides of the Channel.
Expert Perspectives and Legal Considerations
Retired Royal Navy commander Tom Sharpe offered a contrasting viewpoint to the BBC. He suggested that the border force, rather than the navy, is better positioned to handle migrant arrivals. Warships, he explained, are primarily designed for anti-submarine defenses and are not ideally suited for transporting people.
You’re better off using an actual ferry, rather than deploying warships for this purpose.
International maritime conventions permit states to rescue individuals from boats in distress but do not authorize transferring them to other nations without those countries’ agreement. This legal nuance has sparked debate about the practicality of Reform’s proposal. Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp argued that withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights should remain the government’s top priority for addressing illegal migration. He claimed this would allow the UK to deport every illegal immigrant within a week of arrival, either to their country of origin or to safe third countries like Rwanda.
Numbers and Trends
Between January 1 and August 1, 2026, a total of 14,526 people crossed the English Channel by small boat from France. This represents a 43% decline compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. These crossings have emerged as the most frequent method for detecting illegal UK entries since 2020. Nearly all individuals arriving by small boat submit asylum claims. Under international law, this entitles them to remain in the country while their applications are reviewed. Small boat arrivals accounted for 42% of asylum applications between April 2025 and March 2026. Boats arriving between August 2, 2025, and August 1, 2026, carried an average of 67 passengers each. This figure has more than doubled since 2021, raising concerns among experts about increased risks due to overcrowding. The Home Office reported that National Crime Agency officers combating smuggling gangs facilitating small boat crossings increased to nearly 800, up from 376 at the beginning of 2025. According to United Nations data, at least 84 people lost their lives attempting to cross the Channel in 2024. When viewed against the broader picture, small boat arrivals represent approximately 5% of total UK immigration from January 2025 through December 2025.
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