Farage-Bardella show of unity tries to paper over immigration sticking points
The populist duo appeared together at Reform UK's conference Friday.
BIRMINGHAM, England — French politician Jordan Bardella and British politician Nigel Farage met on Friday at Reform UK’s annual conference, showcasing their shared anti-immigration stance. However, their agreement did not fully resolve the contentious issue of France taking back migrants intercepted in the English Channel.
In August, Farage pledged to use the Royal Navy to intercept "small boats" carrying migrants attempting to enter the United Kingdom from France, sparking controversy in France. The memorandum of understanding signed by Farage and Bardella states that France "will ordinarily accept" intercepted migrants, leaving room for interpretation. Farage labeled this as "legalese," stating that the removal of financial incentives would make the crossing business model obsolete.
The agreement, available in both French and English, mandates that France will deport migrants to their home countries and that costs will be determined later. Bardella stated that France would "do its utmost" to prevent departures from French shores. The National Rally, Bardella's party, has promised to submit its immigration plans to a referendum in France, a lengthy process that could face obstacles even with Bardella's mentor Marine Le Pen's victory in the presidential election.
Despite the focus on their agreement, Farage's event was marred by allegations of illegal party funding. Bardella, in a speech at the conference, vowed to collaborate with a Reform UK government if Le Pen wins the election to halt illegal migration into the United Kingdom. He also suggested that the Channel crossings would likely be halted if France took control of its borders.
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