Nigel Farage has issued a stark political warning to Sir Sadiq Khan after the London Mayor condemned his controversial migration proposals, vowing to challenge him directly in next May’s London borough elections.
The Reform UK leader hit back at Khan during a press conference on Monday after the Mayor criticised plans to scrap indefinite leave to remain status for migrants, calling the proposals “unacceptable” and warning they would affect thousands of legal residents in the capital.
Khan had earlier stated: “Thousands of Londoners have indefinite leave to remain. They have legal rights and are our friends, neighbours and colleagues, contributing hugely to our city. Threatening to deport people living and working here legally is unacceptable.”
But Farage launched a fierce counter-attack, challenging the Mayor’s defence of all migrants with settled status. “What about the ones that aren’t working? What about the ones that never have worked and never will work?” the Reform leader demanded at his press conference.
The Clacton MP accused politicians of misunderstanding the immigration system, stating: “What about having an honest debate about those we’ve let into this country? Many of whom are great people. Fine, we understand that. But too many of whom are not.”
Farage argued that work permits and visas had become “a back door to full-time settlement,” claiming the system had been fundamentally misused over successive governments.
In a direct electoral threat to the Labour Mayor, Farage declared: “We will do battle with Mayor Khan in the 32 London boroughs that are up for election next May, and I’ll answer more directly questions from him when the time comes.”
The confrontation comes as Reform UK unveiled sweeping immigration proposals under their “Operation Restoring Justice” plan, which would see the party scrap indefinite leave to remain status, requiring migrants to continuously renew visas rather than applying for permanent residency after five years.
Reform’s policy chief Zia Yusuf confirmed the changes would be “rescinded retrospectively,” potentially affecting an estimated 430,000 people who currently hold ILR status across the UK. Under the proposals, even those allowed to remain would lose access to welfare benefits.
The timing of Farage’s threat is significant, coming after Reform UK’s dramatic success in May’s local elections where the party won 677 council seats and took control of ten councils, marking their first major breakthrough in local government. The party secured 30% of the projected national vote share, placing first ahead of Labour’s 20%.
London’s 32 borough councils are scheduled to hold elections in May 2026, presenting Reform UK with an opportunity to challenge Labour’s dominance in the capital. The party claims to have over 15,000 members in London and has been actively building its infrastructure in the city.
Khan, who was knighted in the 2025 New Year Honours and re-elected for a third term as Mayor in May 2024 with 43.8% of the vote, has positioned himself as a defender of London’s diverse communities. The son of Pakistani immigrants who arrived in Britain in the 1960s, Khan has frequently championed the contributions of migrant communities to the capital.
The Mayor’s criticism reflects broader concerns about Reform UK’s immigration agenda, which includes leaving the European Convention on Human Rights, repealing the Human Rights Act, and implementing what Farage describes as a mass deportation programme targeting illegal migrants.
Labour chair Anna Turley dismissed Reform’s proposals as “unfunded and unworkable,” accusing Farage of being unable to answer basic questions about the policy’s impact on families and businesses. “It’s just more of the ‘don’t know’ answers the British public has come to expect from Farage and Reform,” she stated.
Dr Ben Brindle from the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford warned that removing ILR status could have “far-reaching consequences for families with long-established roots in the UK,” noting that most ILR holders would have had multiple immigration applications accepted by the government.
The clash between Farage and Khan represents a broader political battle over immigration policy that is likely to intensify as local elections approach. Reform UK’s recent electoral gains have emboldened the party to challenge established political forces in areas previously considered Labour strongholds.
Farage’s confrontational stance towards Khan signals Reform UK’s intention to make immigration a central issue in London’s local elections, potentially disrupting traditional voting patterns in a city that has historically backed pro-immigration policies.
The Reform leader’s comments about non-working migrants tap into concerns about welfare costs, though critics argue his rhetoric oversimplifies complex social and economic issues surrounding immigration and integration.
As political tensions rise, the exchange between Farage and Khan sets the stage for what promises to be a heated electoral contest in London next year, with immigration policy at the forefront of the debate.
The outcome of these local elections could prove crucial for both leaders’ political futures, with Khan seeking to maintain Labour’s grip on London whilst Farage aims to translate Reform UK’s recent national success into gains in the capital.
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