Shame On You': Reform's Sarah Pochin Condemned Over World War 2 Jibe At France

Reform UK MP Sarah Pochin was condemned after making a World War 2 remark about France during a dispute over the party’s plan to turn back small boats crossing the English Channel. Writing on X, the Runcorn MP said: “Pity the French did not show the same resolve in defending their sovereignty in June 1940,” after France’s government said the approach would violate French sovereignty as well as maritime and international law. A community note responded that around 90,000–100,000 French soldiers were killed in the Battle of France. Reform’s “Operation Fortress” would have the Royal Navy intercept boats and return asylum seekers. Nigel Farage argued it would be “humanitarian,” but France’s interior ministry disagreed.