Tories Propose Deporting All Foreign Criminals, Citing Public Safety

The Conservative party in Britain has announced plans to deport all foreign nationals convicted of crimes, stating that offenders would be removed upon completion of their sentences or for any offense committed. This policy, detailed by Kemi Badenoch's party, aims to increase annual deportations from the current figure of 6,000 to an estimated 40,000.

Under the proposed measures, individuals would also be barred from claiming asylum if they have committed offenses. The announcement comes ahead of the Conservative party conference, where a plan to build 50,000 new prison places is also expected.

Chris Philp, the Conservative Shadow Home Secretary, stated, "We must deport all foreign criminals – it's that simple. If someone comes to Britain and commits a crime, once jail time is served, they must go." He further criticized the current approach, asserting that "Labour continues to let serious foreign criminals roam our streets, and many go on to commit more serious crimes. We will not apologize for putting the safety of the British public first."

The current law allows for the deportation of foreign criminals sentenced to a year or more in prison. However, the Conservatives argue that legal challenges, referred to as 'lawfare,' hinder the removal process. To facilitate broader deportations, the plan suggests that Britain would withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which is frequently cited in legal challenges against deportation. The Human Rights Act and modern slavery laws are also targeted for repeal or replacement, described by the party as "outdated."

Kemi Badenoch indicated that dual national offenders would have their citizenship stripped to simplify their deportation. Additionally, countries refusing to accept the return of their nationals convicted of crimes in the UK could face visa sanctions and reduced overseas aid.

Ministers have stated that deportations have increased under the current Labour government, with 6,000 offenders removed last year. The Conservatives contend that an additional 20,000 individuals who are eligible for deportation under existing rules have not been removed. The proposed policy would integrate immigration checks into routine police work to identify and remove individuals residing in Britain illegally.

The initiative is part of the Conservative party's strategy to address public concerns about immigration, particularly in light of record arrival numbers during previous Conservative administrations. The party hopes these policies, presented at their upcoming conference, will capitalize on recent polling gains.

The proposed measures are expected to be met with opposition from the Labour party. A government spokesperson commented, "Any foreign national who receives a prison sentence in the UK is referred for deportation at the earliest opportunity and will be barred from ever returning."