MANCHESTER, England (BN24) — Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has unveiled a sweeping plan to deport up to 150,000 illegal migrants every year, pledging to create a powerful new removals force modeled on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency as part of the party’s toughest-ever border policies.
Speaking at her first party conference as leader, Badenoch outlined the £1.6 billion proposal aimed at reversing the Conservatives’ slump in support and stopping voters from defecting to Reform UK. “We must tackle the scourge of illegal immigration to Britain and secure our borders,” Badenoch told party members gathered in Manchester. “That is why the Conservatives are setting out a serious and comprehensive new plan to end this crisis.”
Under the plan, a newly formed “Removals Force” would be granted sweeping powers to identify and deport illegal migrants within one week of arrival. Facial recognition technology would be deployed to detect individuals, and police would be required to conduct immigration checks on everyone they stop.
Illegal migrants would be barred from claiming asylum, and refugee status would only be granted to those facing state persecution or threats to their lives. Immigration tribunals would be abolished, and legal aid would be denied to those subject to removal.
Badenoch has also vowed to take the United Kingdom out of the European Convention on Human Rights, which has often been used to challenge deportation orders in British courts.
The Conservatives are framing the crackdown as a direct contrast to their rivals. “Labour offer failed gimmicks like ‘one thousand in, one out.’ Reform have nothing but announcements that fall apart on arrival,” Badenoch said.
The strategy echoes elements of U.S. border enforcement under President Donald Trump, whose administration removed or facilitated the voluntary departure of more than two million illegal immigrants since his second term began in January.
Badenoch’s hardline stance has drawn comparisons to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage’s policies on immigration and net zero, intensifying debate within the party. Some Conservative MPs are reportedly holding letters of no confidence to use after Badenoch completes her first year as leader on Nov. 3, though others believe a leadership challenge would be more likely after the May local elections.
Asked whether Badenoch could face a leadership revolt after further electoral setbacks, Shadow Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho defended her. “Kemi’s had one of the toughest jobs in politics,” Coutinho told The Sun on Sunday. “If you’re someone who takes over a party after it’s lost an election, it’s a pretty rough ride. We’re now taking on energy and you’ll see even more from us on immigration. Those are the things that I think the public care about.”
The announcement came as London Assembly member Keith Prince became the latest Conservative to defect to Reform UK on the eve of the party conference, underscoring the scale of the challenge facing Badenoch’s leadership.
The opposition Labour Party sharply criticized the proposals. “The Conservatives’ message on immigration is; we got everything wrong, we won’t apologise, now trust us. It won’t wash,” a Labour spokesperson said.
