Former navy officer criticises Reform plan to use military to stop small boats

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Key context: <p>Retired commander says policy lacks substance as party accused of trying to distract from Nigel Farage’s scandals</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/aug/03/reform-immigration-small-boats-nigel-farage-restore-clacton-latest-news-updates">UK politics live – latest updates</a></p></li></ul><p>A Reform UK proposal to use the military to stop small boats bringing migrants to the UK from France lacks substance, a former Royal Navy officer has said, suggesting the UK’s warships would be better used countering actual military threats.</p><p>Reform’s political opponents have claimed its plans have more to do with distracting from the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/aug/02/nigel-farage-deal-political-return-reform-2024-election-reports">financial scandals</a> surrounding its leader, Nigel Farage, than about solving the small boats issue, after the party proposed having the navy pick up people trying to make irregular Channel crossings and take them to France.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/aug/03/former-navy-criticises-reform-plan-military-stop-small-boats">Continue reading...</a> This development from The Guardian highlights ongoing changes in the sector.