From 7 Sept 2025Farage rows back on promise to stop small boats within two weeks if he becomes PMSpeaking at the Reform UK conference in Birmingham on Friday, Nigel Farage promised to stop small boat crossings within two weeks if he wins the next general election.But in an interview with Laura Kuenssberg, Farage appeared to shift his position, admitting after being pressed that he would stop the small boats within two weeks of passing laws to deport people more quickly, which could take months to go through the legislative process.“As soon as the law is in place, as soon as you have the ability to detain and deport you will stop it in two weeks,” he said.Nigel Farage delivers a speech at the annual Reform UK party conference at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty ImagesFarage said Reform “actually” intends to deliver its promises, unlike other parties who he claims just say what the public wants to hear until they assume power.At a press conference last month, Farage revealed a five-year plan to detain and deport all migrants who arrive in the UK illegally and suggested 600,000 people could be sent back over five years.Farage has been accused of demonising all migrants with his increasingly right-wing rhetoric, with his proposals labelled as unworkable and undermining of basic human rights.Key events7 Sept 2025Closing summary7 Sept 2025Boris Johnson was one of the worst prime ministers in British history, Zia Yusuf says7 Sept 2025Reshuffle of junior ministers raises fears over future of Labour’s workers’ rights bill7 Sept 2025Farage rows back on promise to stop small boats within two weeks if he becomes PM7 Sept 2025Angela Rayner is an 'inspiration' not a 'victim', defence secretary says7 Sept 2025Mahmood will be 'just as tough as Cooper' on Palestine Action, defence secretary says7 Sept 2025Military sites could be used as temporary accommodation for asylum seekers, defence secretary says7 Sept 2025Starmer has decided to 'go up a gear' and focus on the 'next phase of delivery' of government priorities, minister says7 Sept 2025New home secretary considering reform of European convention of human rights to head off Reform advanceShow key events onlyPlease turn on JavaScript to use this featureClosing summary