Former British minister Rory Stewart says a possible Nigel Farage premiership could push Britain toward extreme anti-immigration politics and deepen social divisions.
By TRH World Desk
New Delhi, May 9, 2026 — Former British Cabinet minister Rory Stewart has warned that a future government led by Nigel Farage would be “the most shocking disaster” for the United Kingdom, amid growing political turbulence over immigration and identity politics.
Speaking to Al Arabiya English, Stewart said Farage “could be” the next British Prime Minister, reflecting rising concerns over the growing influence of right-wing populism in British politics.
“I think it would be the most shocking disaster for the United Kingdom,” Stewart said during the interview.
The former Conservative minister linked his criticism to recent remarks attributed to senior Conservative politician Robert Jenrick. Stewart referenced a reported interview discussed by journalist Fraser Nelson in which Jenrick allegedly suggested policies that Stewart interpreted as targeting Britain’s Muslim population.
According to Stewart, the proposals amounted to “ICE plus plus,” comparing them to aggressive immigration enforcement tactics associated with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.
Stewart claimed the rhetoric appeared to suggest removing “2 million Muslims from the United Kingdom,” though the exact context of Jenrick’s remarks remains politically contested.
The comments come at a time when immigration has once again emerged as a defining issue in British politics. Farage and his Reform UK movement have steadily gained political momentum by campaigning on stricter border controls, reduced immigration, and criticism of multicultural policies.
Stewart, once seen as a moderate Conservative voice, has increasingly emerged as a vocal critic of hardline nationalist politics in Britain. Since leaving frontline politics, he has gained prominence through political commentary, podcasts, and public debates on democracy and governance.
The remarks are likely to intensify debate within British political circles over the future direction of the Conservative movement and the growing popularity of populist narratives ahead of the next general election.
Critics of Farage argue that increasingly inflammatory rhetoric on immigration risks deepening social divisions in Britain, while supporters say tougher policies reflect public frustration over border security and integration.
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