The Green Party has quietly removed its migration policy from public view on its website, following criticism from the government and Reform UK. Until at least March, the party's website displayed a list of principles and objectives approved by members in spring 2023. The first principle stated: 'The Green Party wants to see a world without borders; until this happens, the Green Party will implement a fair and humane system of managed immigration where people can move if they wish to do so.'
Government and Reform Criticism
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood targeted this statement in a speech in early March, suggesting that a 'world without borders' would result in 'the most expensive and expansive migration policies anywhere in the world.' She added: 'To some, this might seem like harmless student politics. But the danger and the possible damage is real.' Reform UK's home affairs spokesman, Zia Yusuf, also highlighted the policy, including in media interviews. Yusuf argued that the Green Party's position justified his plan to focus migrant detention centre construction in Green-controlled areas if Reform wins the next general election.
Party Response
A Green Party spokesperson called the idea 'abhorrent' and 'disgusting', stating: 'Greens are focused on building council housing, fixing our public services and bringing down the cost of living.' However, the public can no longer find any mention of the policy on the party's website. Pages referencing a 'world without borders' now redirect to the homepage, which features a large image of party leader Zack Polanski and new MP Hannah Spencer.
According to the Internet Archive, two explanatory pages were still accessible in March. In a blog post that month, Lancaster Green Party councillor Jack Lenox hinted that the details were moved to a members-only portal. He wrote that the policy was 'publicly available on our website for years' but was moved behind a members-only login because journalists kept misrepresenting it as the party's manifesto. Lenox added that the party is 'proud of that aspiration [for a borderless world]' and 'honest about the pathway to get there.'
Leader's Media Appearances
During a tense appearance on Good Morning Britain, Polanski deflected questions about the policy by discussing host Ed Balls' links to the Labour Party. However, he told Sky News in December that open borders were 'not a situation we can move to right now' amid 'political turmoil' and emphasized that open borders had never been included in a Green Party manifesto. The party's 2024 manifesto did not mention the ambition, calling only for an end to the 'hostile environment', an end to minimum income thresholds for spouses of work visa holders, and the establishment of safe routes for people fleeing danger.
The Green Party has been contacted for further comment.
