**I’ve zoomed in on Farage’s deportations plan today which feels like it will resonate after a fortnight of solid migration stories.
I am not sure that rationally picking this plan apart will work (it is plainly not feasible and not costed) but ultimately it may work because it plays into the ‘whatever it takes’ framing that evolved around this issue. That’s why I have tried to include some risks to ‘Ordinary Brits’ and also a bit of humour to gently mock this.
As always - only use what aligns with your strategy - this is all suggestion, not prescription.
If this edition is interesting or helpful to you please forward this newsletter to friends or colleagues who might also find value in it. **
TL:DR?
What's Dominating: Farage unveils his "mass deportation" plan - five daily flights sending hundreds of thousands to Afghanistan and Eritrea, detention camps on RAF bases, and scrapping human rights laws
The Narrative Split: Progressive challenge: Show real solutions that work vs Populist exploitation: "Only extreme measures can save Britain now"
Why Today Matters: This isn't just about immigration - it's a blueprint for dismantling legal protections that keep all of us safe from authoritarianism
Farage’s Deportation Fantasy
What Actually Happened
Nigel Farage announced plans to detain asylum seekers on military bases, send them to countries like Afghanistan and Eritrea on five daily deportation flights, and scrap the European Convention on Human Rights. The plan would cost £10 billion and involves regular flights to Ascension Island - an airstrip with a landing so challenging only a small number of pilots are experienced enough to attempt it. Sounds expensive.
How It's Being Twisted
Right populists: "Finally, someone with the courage to solve the crisis once and for all"
Farage supporters: "If you don't support this, you're on the side of traffickers and criminals"
Progressive Pushback Options
If emphasising feasibility: "He admits the costings are 'difficult to tell' - that's politician speak for 'I made it up'"
If emphasising morality: "When asked about torture, he said 'I'm really sorry but' - that tells you everything about what this plan means"
If emphasising risks to UK citizens: "If your NHS data hunts asylum seekers, it can hunt you for political donations or union membership"
Key Facts for Your Toolkit
Building camps for 24,000 people requires 48 football pitches worth of space - where exactly during a housing crisis?
Farage admits "estimating some of this is difficult" while claiming definitive £10 billion cost
His own admission: "Of course they won't want them" - about overseas territories taking deportees - so how will it work?
What Human Rights Rollback Might Actually Meansfor ‘Oridnary Brits’
Your Privacy Gone: Without human rights oversight, the government could monitor your WhatsApp messages, bank transactions, and web browsing without a warrant. Criticised the government online? That's now in your permanent file affecting job applications and mortgage approvals.
Your Home at Risk: The ECHR has stopped governments seizing homes below market value. Without it, "national projects" could bulldoze your street with minimal compensation - and no court could stop them.
Your Job Under Threat: Public sector workers, teachers, even licensed plumbers could face "loyalty pledges." Donated to Greenpeace? Joined a union? Posted criticism on social media years ago? Your professional license could be revoked.
Your Money Controlled: Bank accounts frozen for attending protests or donating to opposition parties. Automated systems flag you as "politically unreliable" - suddenly you can't get a mortgage or business loan.
Your Voice Silenced: Climate protests, signing petitions, sharing critical content becomes criminal. That arrest record then blocks you from jobs, travel, even insurance coverage.
The bottom line: Remove protections for "them" today, lose protections for yourself tomorrow.
What They're Really Feeling: Frustration that the system seems broken and nothing changes
The Legitimate Concern: Current asylum processing is too slow and chaotic
Address It By: "You're right the system is broken - here's how we actually fix it without building prison camps"
What They're Really Feeling: Powerlessness against remote institutions making decisions about their lives
The Legitimate Concern: Feeling like ordinary people have no say in major changes to their communities
Address It By: "We need more local control, not less legal protection - here's how we get both"
Remember: People support extreme measures when moderate ones seem to have failed. Show them moderate ones that actually work.
The Taliban Customer Service Hotline
The Angle: Afghanistan negotiations: "Hello Taliban, it's Britain calling. We'd like to send you thousands of people you consider traitors. What's your acceptance rate? Also, do you offer bulk discounts?"
The Execution:
Mock phone call between UK diplomat and Taliban official: "Yes, we'll hold whilst you check with your Department of Former Enemies"
Customer service chat: "Taliban Response Team: 'LOL no' - Chat ended"
Farage claiming "enormous muscle" whilst Taliban hangs up the phon
The Self-Deportation App
The Angle: Farage's "voluntary returns" plan includes people using an app to "deport themselves" for £2,500. Picture the app reviews and user experience.
The Execution:
App store listing: "DeportMe Pro - One star reviews: 'Crashed when I tried to select destination', 'Taliban won't accept my booking'"
Customer support: "Have you tried turning your asylum claim off and on again?"
Push notifications: "Reminder: You still haven't deported yourself today!"
Why This Works: Takes his actual policy proposal and shows how dystopian it sounds when you imagine the practical reality. The tech startup parody makes the dehumanisation obvious through familiar formats.
Frame It Your Way:
For Deportation Plans:
Feasibility angle: "If it sounds too simple, it probably is"
Cost angle: "£10 billion could process every asylum case in six weeks instead"
Safety angle: "Real security means knowing who's here, not pretending they'll disappear"
For Rights Rollback:
Personal angle: "Your rights protect you when you need help most"
Precedent angle: "Every dictator starts by saying rights only protect criminals"
Practical angle: "These laws stop your government spying on you and seizing your home"
Complexity Made Simple:
Don't say: "Withdrawal from international legal frameworks risks constitutional implications"
Do say: "Tear up these laws and the government can do whatever it wants to you"
Don't say: "Logistical infeasibility of mass removal operations"
Do say: "The math doesn't work and the money isn't there"
If the government and other organisations with resources to shape the news and public discourse don’t step up by driving an alternative agenda then it’ll inevitably be more migration, asylum and deportation stories. 🤬
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