Former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas has warned that recent changes to immigration rules that bar anyone entering the UK illegally from ever getting British citizenship will “strengthen” Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.
The Home Office’s good character guidance, updated on Monday, now says that entering the UK illegally will “normally” result in a refused citizenship – no matter how long the applicant has lived in the UK.
Another new entry to the guidance reads: “A person who applies for citizenship from 10 February 2025 who has previously arrived without a required valid entry clearance or electronic travel authorisation, having made a dangerous journey will normally be refused citizenship.
“A dangerous journey includes, but is not limited to, travelling by small boat or concealed in a vehicle or other conveyance.”
The change to the rules, first disclosed by the Free Movement website, makes it almost impossible for anyone who arrived on a small boat across the English Channel to ever get British citizenship.
Under the previous guidance, refugees who arrived in the UK by irregular routes would be required to wait 10 years before being considered for citizenship.
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Reacting to the changes, Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy told BBC Radio’s Today programme on Wednesday: “I want to make it clear that I voted for the legislation on Monday, because I think it is important that we repeal the Rwanda legislation, the madness and the money that we spent on that scheme, and that we do actually support a border force.
“This change [to the Home Office guidance] was not part of that process.”
Creasy, who has served as an MP since 2010, added: “I think this change is counterproductive to the message that we want to send about being proud of our country and the role that it has played in supporting those fleeing persecution.”
Caroline Lucas, who served as a Green Party MP from 2010 to 2024, warned that Labour’s “performative cruelty” is likely to strengthen Reform UK.
Writing on X, Lucas said: “Denying refugees citizenship simply on the grounds that they arrived here ‘illegally’ on small boats when there are no legal routes for most of them to use takes cynicism to new heights.
“And such performative cruelty won’t see off Reform – it’s more likely to strengthen them.”
It comes after the second reading of the new border security bill on Monday, which sets out Labour’s plan to treat people smugglers like terrorists, and creates a new crime of endangering another person during an illegal crossing in the Channel.
Josh Self is Editor of Politics.co.uk, follow him on Bluesky here.
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