Populist leader Nigel Farage is setting his sights on the position of Prime Minister, looking to emulate former U.S. President Barack Obama’s strong stance on illegal immigration. In a recent article for the Daily Mail, Farage stated,
“If I become the next Prime Minister, I’ll be deporter-in-chief — like Barack Obama.”
His remarks come as the United Kingdom prepares for local elections this Thursday, with Farage’s Reform UK party poised to present the highest number of candidates. Meanwhile, the Conservative Party is tasked with defending nearly two-thirds of the more than 1,600 seats available.
Farage’s immigration strategy and Obama’s influence
Although Farage and Obama represent contrasting political ideologies, the Reform leader expressed admiration for the former U.S. president in his approach to immigration enforcement. He outlined his commitment to a stringent “zero tolerance policy” should he ascend to the role of Prime Minister. Farage advocates for new, “legally robust” reforms and international agreements aimed at expediting the deportation process.
The context of illegal immigration in the UK
In his article, Farage pointed out that the scale of deportations he envisions is not without precedent. He referenced Obama’s tenure, during which the former president earned the label of “Deporter in Chief” for overseeing the removal of approximately 3 million undocumented immigrants from the United States between 2009 and 2017. This historical context underscores the challenges faced by leaders addressing illegal immigration.
As of 2017, estimates indicated that between 800,000 and 1.2 million unauthorized migrants resided in the United Kingdom, representing the latest available data on this pressing issue. Farage’s bold proposals are likely to resonate with segments of the electorate concerned about immigration policy as the local elections approach.