In conversation with Reform UK's Richard Tice

Deputy leader of Reform UK Richard Tice says the party wants "smart immigration" and that Thames Water could be nationalised "for a pound"

Over the next few weeks, BBC South's political editor Peter Henley is speaking with party leaders, or deputy leaders, ahead of this autumn's party conferences.

They will discuss some of the key issues across the South and what their party might do to tackle some of them.

His first interview is with Richard Tice, deputy leader of Reform UK.

BBC South's political editor Peter Henley spoke to Tice ahead of this autumn's party conferences

PH: "When President Trump comes to Windsor Castle, some politicians have said they'll boycott it. Do you welcome the American influence on our politics at the moment?"

RT: "I think President Trump is working incredibly hard to try and secure peace and a ceasefire in Ukraine and in the Middle East

"I welcome those efforts, they're really difficult.

"I welcome his work, the work of our prime minister, other world leaders, in trying to secure that and American politics is different - it's got huge money involved.

PH: "It's got a lot of division and hate as well and some of that's spilling over, isn't it?"

RT: "In democracies, people have different views - that's the whole point of it and no one wants hate.

"But sometimes, if politicians make such a bad job of ruining countries, ruining our economy - which is what's going on in this country - don't be surprised if voters get a bit grumpy as they get poorer, the quality of public services gets worse, and they see government lawyers arguing in the Court of Appeal that the rights of illegal migrants are greater than the rights of British citizens. That's outrageous."

PH: On public services - Southern Water, Thames Water - people are very upset about that. Your plan is to re-nationalise?

RT: "Our plan on Thames Water specifically - we've said let it go bust and the shareholders and the debt holders - caveat emptor - they knew what they were getting into.

"The government should buy it for a pound, invest in it and then actually, that would be a great deal for the taxpayer.

"A model that I've talked about - you could have 50% in public ownership, 50% in long-term pension funds and privately managed - you get the best of all worlds.

"We should try these things - what we do know is that the current situation has ended up being the worst of all worlds."

PH: "Another idea you want to try with migrants is putting the Royal Navy in there. How would the Royal Navy deter small boat crossings? What would you do with the women and children on those boats?"

RT: "The most important thing actually is to stop the boats leaving France.

"Yesterday the Home Secretary for the first time said that the French will try to stop the boats as they leave French shores.

"That's the best way of all - the Belgian authorities did that consistently and they stopped the boats leaving Belgium, so that's what should happen."

PH: "And you think this is the most important issue at the moment?"

RT: "If you go around the country, if you knock on doors, that's what people are telling me.

"They're furious, raging mad, about the billions being wasted on illegal immigration.

"And we want smart immigration, not mass, low-skilled immigration that suppresses wages and makes our housing and public services more expensive and less successful."