Reform UK’s policy director has acknowledged that overhauling the United Kingdom’s border controls will require a full five-year parliamentary term, tempering earlier statements made by party leader Nigel Farage promising swift action to halt migrant crossings within 100 days.

Amar Johal, Reform’s UK director of policy and research, made the remarks during the party’s recent conference in Birmingham. He described government “state capacity” as “pretty constrained,” which limits how quickly the party can implement its immigration agenda if elected. Johal indicated that while there is strong sentiment within Reform and across the political right for rapid border reform, realistic expectations are necessary regarding what can be achieved over a government term.

The comments emerged in a leaked recording from the conference and are likely to be scrutinized by political opponents as evidence that the party may have overstated its ability to swiftly control immigration. Nevertheless, a Reform UK spokesman emphasized that the party’s official policy documents have long stated a five-year target for deporting an estimated one million illegal migrants in the UK. The party remains committed to stopping migrant boats crossing the Channel within 100 days of taking office.

Reform unveiled several key proposals at its conference under Operation Fortress, which includes plans to deploy the Royal Navy and Royal Marines to intercept and return small boats attempting to cross the Channel. The party also revealed a memorandum of understanding with Jordan Bardella, president of France’s National Rally, whereby a French government led by the right-wing party would accept the return of illegal migrants launching from French shores.

Operation Restoring Justice, another cornerstone policy document, aims for a tenfold increase in detention capacity within 18 months to deport up to 24,000 migrants annually who lack legal permission to remain in the UK. This initiative forms part of a broader five-year emergency program intended to identify, detain, and remove one million illegal migrants through a newly established enforcement unit.

Johal, who took on the most senior policy role at Reform UK following the resignation of James Orr, is collaborating with Conservative MP Danny Kruger—the party’s head of preparation for government—to draft Reform’s manifesto ahead of the next general election. The party maintains that its approach represents a more robust alternative to Labour’s immigration policies and asserts it will demonstrate “what secure borders really look like” under a Reform government.