Reform UK would ban full-face coverings in public
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has proposed a total ban on full-face coverings in public spaces, including religious garments like burkas. The party argues that such a measure is necessary to ensure public safety and identifiability in a civilized society.
Why it matters
This proposal highlights ongoing tensions in UK politics regarding immigration, cultural integration, and the balance between individual religious expression and public security.
Image source, Remco van Schellen By Kate Whannel Political reporter Published 8 September 2026 Reform UK has said it would ban face coverings in public places, including burkas and balaclavas, if it won power at the next election.
Writing in the Telegraph, , external party leader Nigel Farage said facial coverings were "not the British way" and undermined the trust needed for a "free and open society".
His comments come after protests over the weekend, described as spontaneous by police, when masked men chanting "stop the boats" blocked roads in Dover.
On Monday, Home Office minister Sarah Jones said police had powers over coverings at protests but added: "When people are going about their daily business, it is absolutely fine to wear them for religious reasons, and that will continue."
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