Nigel Farage has introduced a new element to his strict deportation plans by stating that women and children will be exempt for a period of five years. This announcement comes after his associate, Zia Yusuf, made contradictory statements just a day before, leading to significant criticism. Farage appeared to alter his party’s stance following questions about potential gender bias.
When questioned about the safety of women under his deportation proposals, Farage clarified that the current focus was solely on undocumented male immigrants and that women and children were not part of the immediate discussion. Contrary to previous statements, he emphasized that the initial phase of deportation would concentrate on adults, with unaccompanied minors being addressed later in the five-year timeframe.
Although Farage hinted at the possibility of deporting women and children to countries like Afghanistan in the future, he emphasized that it was not part of the immediate agenda. During an event in Oxford, he acknowledged the complexity of dealing with children in this context but reiterated that all arrivals, including women and children, would be detained.
Farage’s party, Reform, aims to deport approximately 600,000 asylum seekers within five years, with an estimated cost of £10 billion. This proposal has faced criticism, with a Liberal Democrat spokesperson questioning the feasibility and effectiveness of the plan.
In response to accusations of having a “woman problem,” Farage highlighted the increasing involvement of women in the Reform party, particularly through groups like Women For Reform. Despite challenges and criticisms, Farage remains resolute in his deportation plans and the vision for his party’s future direction.
