UK Archbishop Criticizes Farage Mass Deportation Plans as Un-British

Nigel Farage has proposed a controversial immigration policy, dubbed “Operation Restoring Justice,” which aims to deport 600,000 illegal asylum seekers within five years, including women and children, if his party gains power. His plan involves expanding detention centers and securing return deals with countries such as Afghanistan, Eritrea, and Iran, even if those countries have poor human rights records. Farage claims his proposals align with Britain's Judeo-Christian values and insists that criticism from senior Church leaders and the establishment is expected but misplaced. However, prominent Church figures, including the Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell and the Bishop of Oxford Steven Croft, have strongly condemned Farage's plans as lacking compassion and being “beneath us as a nation.” They argue that Britain's long-standing tradition is to offer shelter and support to those fleeing war and persecution, emphasizing Christian values of compassion and understanding rather than mass deportations. The bishops warn that Farage's policies risk sowing division and fear rather than fostering community cohesion and mutual respect.