Will Suella Braverman joining Reform stop the boats?

 

Will Suella Braverman joining Reform stop the boats?

Suella Braverman's defection to Reform UK on January 26, 2026, represents a significant political shift, but its direct impact on "stopping the boats" is subject to intense debate.

 

Political Consolidation: Braverman joined Reform alongside former Tory Robert Jenrick, claiming the Conservative Party "deliberately failed" to tackle illegal migration. Her move aims to unify the right-wing vote around Reform, which advocates for leaving the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) to bypass legal blocks on deportations.

Criticism of Past Performance: While Braverman and Nigel Farage now present a united front, Farage previously called her tenure as Home Secretary "absolutely pathetic" and "useless" regarding small boat crossings. Critics, including Labour and some Conservatives, argue that as she was unable to "stop the boats" while in power, her move to Reform is unlikely to change the outcome.

Reform's Current Strategy: Reform UK's platform includes freezing non-essential immigration and a policy of "picking up and taking back" boats to France. However, Farage has recently tempered expectations, walking back previous promises to stop crossings within "two weeks".

Impact on the Electorate: Supporters view her defection as a "homecoming" for a politician truly committed to border control. Opponents suggest it simply imports "failed Tory policies" into a new party and may encourage tactical voting against Reform in future elections.