British politics is taking a hard turn, and it spells trouble for Hong Kong people who’ve moved to the UK.
On September 22, Nigel Farage, leader of the far-right “Reform UK” party, dropped a bombshell immigration plan. He wants to scrap the existing permanent residency system, calling it “highly unfair.” Instead, he argues everyone should only get visas that need renewal every five years, with citizenship possible only after seven years of living in the UK.
The Reform Party’s Hardcore Immigration Plan
Farage’s proposal is brutal: to renew a visa, applicants must earn £60,000 annually — that’s a 44% hike from the current £42,000 threshold for skilled workers. No social welfare benefits, NHS users will pay hefty fees, and only those with advanced English language ability will qualify. Family reunifications? Strictly limited.
When a Guardian reporter asked if this hits Hong Kong BN(O) migrants on the “5+1” scheme, Farage didn’t hesitate. Hong Kong people are definitely caught in this net. He even coldly declared at the press conference, “None of them will get permanent residency—thank you.”
Europe's sweeping anti-immigrant mood isn’t sparing the UK. After Labour came to power, they already proposed extending the BN(O) “5+1” rule to “10+1,” though they’ve been vague if this targets Hong Kong BN(O) migrants specifically. But the Reform UK Party is very open and clear about its position.
This political shakeup means the worst is yet to come for Hong Kong people in the UK.
Parties Battle to Outdo Each Other on Immigration Control
Political parties know voters hate immigrants. Now, they’re racing to outdo each other with even tougher anti-immigration schemes. The Conservatives are on the back foot, blamed for the surge under Boris Johnson’s era. Farage slammed Johnson’s tenure as “the worst betrayal of democratic will in living memory.”
Under Johnson, the UK took in huge numbers of immigrants from Hong Kong, Ukraine, and Afghanistan. Farage wants to kick out these roughly 800,000 mostly young and low-skilled migrants. Having launched this aggressive anti-immigrant proposal, other UK parties are expected to follow with harsher policies — and Hong Kong BN(O) holders are squarely in the crosshairs.
Europe is seeing a far-right surge: Italy’s Giorgia Meloni leads with her Brothers of Italy party; Marine Le Pen’s National Rally topped France’s first-round parliamentary vote last year; Germany’s AfD grabbed nearly 20% in this year’s vote.
The UK no longer looks immune. A recent Economist poll shows Reform UK leading at 31%, ahead of Labour’s 21%, Conservatives’ 17%, and Lib Dems’ 13%.
Reform UK’s Meteoric Rise
In 2024’s election, Labour smashed it with 411 seats, Conservatives fell to 121, and Reform UK barely registered with 5 seats. Fast forward one year, and reformers are polling first.
This far-right tsunami started in the US and is crashing over the West with fierce anti-immigrant vibes. Barriers to residency and citizenship are just the start. Social hostility toward immigrants like Hong Kong people in the UK is bound to grow.
The message is clear: if the Reform UK takes power, Hong Kong BNO holders have a tough road ahead — best be prepared.
Lo Wing-hung
Bastille Commentary
** The blog article is the sole responsibility of the author and does not represent the position of our company. **
In a series of blistering statements,The Hong Kong Office for Safeguarding National Security (OSNS) has drawn a red line in the sand for anyone trying to weaponize the city’s recent misfortunes. The message is crystal clear and ominous: If you use disaster to sow chaos in Hong Kong, they will hunt you down—no matter where on Earth you try to hide.
On December 3, an OSNS spokesperson doubled down. While the HKSAR government and local citizens were racing to save lives following the tragedy at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, a shadow game was already in play. The office accuses a "small group of external hostile forces" of looting a burning house. Under the guise of petitioning for the people, these actors are dusting off the old playbooks from the "extradition bill protests". They are activating agents, sabotaging relief efforts, and desperately trying to reignite the "Black Riots" memories. The verdict? Their actions are despicable enough to be universally condemned.
To drive the point home, the OSNS fired off three consecutive warning shots to overseas antagonists and anti-China disruptors:
First, we solemnly warn hostile foreign forces and anti-China disrupters that their actions of creating chaos and disorder in Hong Kong are intolerable.
Second, we solemnly warn hostile foreign forces and anti-China disrupters that their actions of adding fuel to the fire will inevitably bring disastrous consequences to themselves.
Third, we solemnly warn hostile foreign forces and anti-China disrupters that the long arm of the law will catch up with them.
The OSNS is keeping receipts. Every word and every action used to disrupt Hong Kong goes on the permanent record, and culprits will be pursued for life. "Anyone who breaks the law," the office warns, there is no sanctuary. Whether you are hiding across the ocean or taking refuge in Taiwan, severe legal punishment is inevitable.
Why is the OSNS speaking up now? Read between the lines, and you see three strategic pivots.
First, this isn’t hypothetical; they believe the foreign interference is already happening. Second, the crosshairs are locked on external forces, with a pointed finger specifically at those hiding in Taiwan. And third, it’s a preemptive strike against anyone overseas dreaming of stirring up another color revolution. The warning is blunt: Distance is not a defense.
Opportunists, Grifters, and Organized Lies
Take a look at the chatter exploding across the internet, and the opposing voices generally fall into distinct camps.
First, you have the fair critics. There is plenty of commentary that, while critical of the SAR government, remains objective. These observers stick to the facts disclosed by official investigations rather than drifting into malicious fantasy. This is a natural, human reaction to a "disaster of the century." And the smart money says the SAR government will take this advice to heart and improve.
Then come the fame vampires. When disaster struck, the opportunists came out of the woodwork. Look at "internet celebrity" Kenny, arrested on December 3 after cursing the Tai Po fire victims online for having "heavy sins." It was a blatant, tasteless grab for traffic, and it landed him in handcuffs for sedition. Then there are the exiled influencers abroad, wantonly bashing the SAR government while coincidentally begging people to subscribe to their Patreon accounts. The hustle is obvious: They are monetizing misery to please their financiers.
Finally, there is the organized sedition. Beyond the grifters, we are seeing waves of calculated propaganda. These aren't just complaints; they are fabrications designed to smear the SAR government and attack the Central system. Rumor mills are churning out wild stories linking material suppliers to the families of Central leaders—plots that are total fiction. It’s as if they believe overthrowing the Central government provides immunity from fire physics. Do massive fires not happen in Western democracies? The logic is broken, but in the heat of a disaster, it’s a potent recipe for inciting public rage.
Sniper Attacks From The Shadows
The temperature on these seditious campaigns was rising fast until the Police National Security Department stepped in. Once they acted, the local noise quieted down—but the overseas attacks only intensified. It raises a suspicious question: Is there a coordinated machine working behind the scenes to sustain sniper attacks against the SAR government? The narrative is set in stone: Whatever the government does is wrong. Before a single investigator has arrived on the scene, the instigators are already screaming for heads to roll.
Here is the bottom line. The OSNS isn’t pointing fingers at external forces for sport; they are firing warning shots because they see the smoke rising. We need to be sharper than ever. Don't let external opposing forces play you for a fool, twisting a tragic fire into a tool for subverting the local government—or even the Central government itself.
Lo Wing-hung
