If Brexit was all about ‘global Britain’, what would UK foreign policy really look like under a Reform UK government? While Nigel Farage’s party focuses heavily on immigration, law and order, and the economy, defence and foreign affairs would almost certainly loom large. This is especially so if Reform makes good on its mass deportation plan as well as getting Britain out of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), plus other treaties.
This would require intricate negotiations with foreign governments, especially states to which foreigners will be sent back. Just as Brexit never meant walking away from Europe, what happens with the ECHR could impact the Good Friday Agreement over Northern Ireland. This could necessitate serious and sensitive diplomacy with Brussels and Dublin.
Striking better trade deals will be similarly critical, especially as Farage and Reform have been so critical of Tory and Labour ‘efforts’ to make the most of Brexit.
A friendly White House will make a huge difference to a US trade deal. If then – as Farage predicts is possible – an election comes in 2027, the Reform leader could be working with his old ally President Donald Trump. That could help Britain enormously.
Even a future President JD Vance from 2029 would help UK trade efforts. However, a future Democrat president may not be so amenable, especially since many Dems associate Farage with The Donald. Then again, Washington will always generally work well with a trade-friendly British government and that’s what Reform promises to be.
Then there is the Commonwealth. If anything offsets the ‘Little Englander’ charge beloved of Remainers, it will be realignment and reengagement with this burgeoning part of the world with which the UK has historic ties.
Young Brits would surely pick freer movement to Australia, Canada and New Zealand over Belgium and the Netherlands. The ‘CANZUK’ movement to draw closer to these and other Commonwealth Realms would be a vote-winner countrywide and with Reform’s base.
On defence, Reform has promised to up defence spending to at least 3% of GDP, something not only popular with Reform supporters who fear a hollowing out of the British Armed Forces but which may be necessary if Farage finds himself a wartime PM inevitably dragged to an Asian war centred on Taiwan.
The reality is that foreign affairs – inextricably linked to domestic affairs – will inevitably loom large for a Reform government. Immigration is by its very nature an international matter, and withdrawing from global treaties or sending illegal immigrants back will be a big undertaking for the Foreign Office.
Meanwhile, defence won’t come cheap, and Reform’s focus on sound economic management will need to accommodate a hefty defence and security bill. A renewed focus on CANZUK and the Commonwealth meanwhile will help the UK finally cut the apron strings with a sclerotic and pensionable EU.
This won’t necessarily be headline-grabbing stuff, but it will be mission critical for Reform’s wider goals.