𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Reform UK would let immigrants enter the UK if they went on to work in the NHS, whilst pushing for an overall reduction in migrant numbers.

Robert Kenyon, the party’s Makerfield by-election candidate, confirmed the policy at a hustings event hosted by the Manchester Evening News.

The 41-year-old plumber was responding to a question about what his party would do to ensure the good running of public services as well as controlling immigration levels.

He said: “People coming here who want to work, like for the NHS […] you’re welcome to come.”

Nigel Farage, the leader of the party, is facing mounting electoral pressure from the right of his movement, from the splinter party Restore Britain, to toughen his stance on immigration.

Restore is pledging a policy of mass deportations with their leader Rupert Lowe MP, who left Reform UK after a disagreement with Mr Farage, saying that millions of migrants would be removed under his plans.

Speaking at the hustings Mr Kenyon reiterated his party’s backing for net negative immigration, a system whereby the overall number of migrants living in the country declines overall.

He also said the party would “stop the boats” and deport anyone living in the United Kingdom living here illegally.

“If we have got a demand, a need, then by all means come here,” he told attendees, adding that “the floodgates have opened” in the past few years.

The Reform UK candidate said that he believed this had put “a massive strain” on public services such as hospitals and schools.

Also at the event the Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, took aim at Mr Kenyon – who is polling in a close second place to Labour.

He said he would deal with high levels of migration “with care, and control, rather than rhetoric and division”.

Blasting his rival party the Mayor added: “Who was in charge of the immigration system when we saw net migration at the highest levels we have seen in recent times?

“Two prominent members of Reform, Robert Jenrick and Suella Braverman.”

Mr Jenrick and Ms Braverman recently defected from the Conservative Party to Reform UK, and had served in the Home Office during their time in previous governments.

They have both been vocal critics of the immigration policies of the Conservative Party, and have cited it as one of the reasons they moved to Reform UK.

Mr Burnham concluded: “But let’s remember there are people here, working here, who contribute to our society, contribute to our NHS.”