'British people are second-class citizens in UK,' Zia Yusuf warns after huge immigration announcement

As for illegal migration, Mr Yusuf said “almost 200,000 people now have turned up on our beaches uninvited over the last eight years” and hit back at those who might be squeamish over how that is described.

“It is an invasion," Mr Yusuf told the People's Channel. "That's exactly what it is. And it's completely unfair on the British people.”

He added: “The British people will come first. We'll secure our borders. We will deport every illegal migrant in the country. We will get the knives off our streets. And we will make you feel safe again.”

Speaking to the People's Channel in the Kent coastal town, Mr Yusuf highlighted “tragic situations where British people have been murdered or raped by people who had never been in the country".

He added: "And then, as insult to injury, the judiciary allowed those people to stay in the country because they cited the ECHR (European Convention on Human Rights)."

Despite the Tories' promise to “stop the boats” and Labour's plan to “smash the gangs”, small boat crossings continue to take place.

More than 65,000 small boat migrants have completed the perilous 21-mile journey in Sir Keir Starmer's first 20 months in power.

Reform UK said anyone who arrives on a small boat would not be allowed to stay in UK. Mr Yusuf also did not rule out using the Royal Navy to turn the dinghies back to France.

Attacking Emmanuel Macron's administration, Mr Yusuf said: “£700million of British taxpayer money has gone to France expressly to stop the boats. Can we have a refund, please? This is the most insane humiliation of this country as a result of supine politicians imaginable!”

Nigel Farage recently met Jordan Bardella, who is favourite to be the next French Prime Minister.

Mr Yusuf feels Reform UK's hardline approach to immigration will deter migrants from attempiting dangerous journeys across the English Channel, saying: “ We will ensure that 100 per cent of any person who tries to break into our country illegally are detained. Not, you know, not four star hotels, Xbox free activities, free health care, free taxis. No, you're being detained. You're being deported back to the country from which you came. If you do that. Look, people respond to incentives. If you have 100 per cent chance of being detained and deported, forget about paying people smugglers. You're just going to stop coming.”

And Mr Yusuf told Britain's News Channel Reform UK is up for a fight with the European Union.

Under the so-called “Boris wave” of legal migration under former Tory prime minister Boris Johnson, millions became eligible for benefits.

Mr Yusuf pledges to stop state payments for foreign nationals, which would mean re-negotiating the UK's Brexit deal with the EU.

He insists: “It's completely insane that British taxpayers have spent £15billion on Universal Credit welfare payments for foreign national households over the last 18 months alone.”And that’s only one form of welfare. Yusuf says “this is insane and it's unacceptable.”

Mr Yusuf is clear on Reform UK's expectations of migrants, saying: “Number one, we expect you to more than pay your way economically. Number two, we expect you to speak English to a high standard. Number three, we expect you to not commit crime. I think that's entirely reasonable.

“Our priority is the British people, many of whom are struggling, obviously, with the cost of living crisis. How many times are the British people being told there's no money for them, there's no money for our pensioners, there's no money for more GP surgeries.”

Despite being a practising Muslim, Mr Yusuf said he went to a Church school, adding the Christian tradition is key to preserving British culture.

United States President Donald Trump recently warned of “civilisational erasure” in Europe.

Mr Yusuf warned: “A country without a culture, it's just an economic zone. It's basically just a shopping mall with a flag.”

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