On the Record: Sarah Pochin

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Sarah Pochin

Role at the time and now: Reform UK MP for Runcorn and Helsby

“will he—in the interests of public safety—follow the lead of France, Denmark, Belgium and others, and ban the burqa?”

What was said

At Prime Minister’s Questions on 4 June 2025, Sarah Pochin referred to the government’s wish for closer alignment with European neighbours and asked the Prime Minister the question quoted above. The proposal was an explicit call for a national prohibition on a form of religious dress.

Context and response

Prime Minister Keir Starmer replied that he was “not going to follow her down that line”. Reform UK said a burqa ban was not party policy at the time. Then-party chairman Zia Yusuf called it “dumb” for a Reform MP to ask the government to adopt a policy the party did not itself support; Reform MP Lee Anderson backed Pochin’s intervention.

The party’s position subsequently moved. In February 2026, Reform’s home affairs spokesman said a Reform government would legislate against public face coverings, including the burqa, while reporting noted that the final policy details were not yet settled. That later development does not change the status of Pochin’s June 2025 question or make it enacted law.

Evidence trail

Evidence status

Direct, attributable and authoritative. The words were spoken in the House of Commons and are recorded in official Hansard. Pochin’s identity, office and party are confirmed by Parliament.

Legal status

This record concerns a political proposal. It was not enacted law when made, and this page does not report a criminal allegation, charge, conviction or administrative finding against Pochin. Inclusion here is not an allegation of illegality.

Last reviewed: 12 October 2026

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