Farage vows to ban the burka and balaclava

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has vowed to prohibit all full-face coverings, including religious garments like burkas, in public if he becomes prime minister, aiming to bolster public trust following violent protests involving masked demonstrators. This plan intensifies the debate over balancing security and religious freedoms, with critics accusing Farage of targeting Muslim women and raising concerns about discrimination.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has pledged to ban all full-face coverings, including burkas and balaclavas, in public spaces if he becomes prime minister. The announcement comes in the wake of recent protests involving masked demonstrators and aims to reinforce public trust and safety.

Farage argued that open societies rely on mutual trust, which is undermined when individuals conceal their faces. “I am calling for a ban on all full-face coverings in public spaces. And yes, that includes religious ones too,” he said. According to Farage, the removal of face coverings is essential to maintaining the "fabric of public safety and mutual trust."

The proposal follows weekend protests by hundreds of masked anti-migrant activists, which included several instances of violence and police confrontations. On Saturday, black-clad demonstrators wearing full-face coverings blocked access to the Port of Dover, and on Sunday, police officers were injured during clashes in Portsmouth.

Reform UK has criticised what it describes as inconsistent policing, noting that while thousands wear full-face coverings daily without police intervention, some protest groups—particularly right-wing demonstrators—are quickly labelled as violent based on their attire. The party’s home affairs spokesman, Zia Yusuf, resigned briefly in 2025 after opposing a similar ban proposed by MP Sarah Pochin, who has publicly backed Farage’s call for prohibition on face coverings. Reform UK maintains that equal application of the law is needed to ensure no group receives preferential treatment based on beliefs or affiliations.

The proposal has drawn condemnation from opponents. Green Party MP Hannah Spencer accused Reform UK of targeting Muslim women and accused the party of racism, asserting that the ban lacks substantive policy solutions for improving citizens’ lives. Labour representatives noted that police powers have already been strengthened to enable authorities to require individuals to remove face coverings when used to hide identities during protests.

The debate highlights ongoing tensions over public safety, individual rights, and religious freedoms amid rising protests and political polarization in the United Kingdom.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.