The party's home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf says it would be the "largest military operation in the English Channel since World War Two”.

Reform UK says it would use the military to forcibly return small boat migrants to France. The plans, unveiled on Monday, suggest military personnel would accompany migrants back to ports on the other side of the English Channel, overriding French objections if necessary. The party claim the proposals would form the "largest military operation" in the Channel since World War Two. But opponents have branded the plan unworkable, with the Conservatives saying the policy is not credible. Under Reform UK's plans if it enters government, military-crewed inflatable boats deployed from Navy patrol vessels would be used to "come alongside" boats crossing the Channel. Border Force officers and police would be tasked with arresting people in the boats, before they would then be returned to France or Belgium by Royal Navy personnel or Marines. Speaking at a news conference to announce the plans, Reform's home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf said the party would seek to disembark them at ports with the agreement of the French government. But he claimed the party would show "unflinching resolve" to make sure returns happened in any circumstances.