Key facts
- Jordan Bardella and Nigel Farage are set to announce a joint proposal on immigration policy.
- The proposal includes enlisting the Royal Navy to help repel immigrants and return them to France.
- The plan faces opposition within Bardella's National Rally party and criticism from across the French political spectrum.
- Marine Le Pen's potential return to the presidential race has altered the political calculus for Bardella.
- Some National Rally officials suggest a treaty and burden-sharing would be required for such a plan to work.
French politician Jordan Bardella and British counterpart Nigel Farage are preparing to present a joint proposal aimed at curbing cross-channel migration. The plan, which reportedly includes enlisting the Royal Navy to intercept and return migrants attempting to reach the UK, is set to be unveiled at Reform UK's annual conference in Birmingham.
However, the alliance between the two populist leaders is already encountering significant headwinds. Within Bardella's National Rally party, there is internal opposition to Farage's controversial proposal. Some party officials expressed concerns that France and the UK would need to sign a treaty and share the burden of returning migrants. Experts like Mark Leonard of the European Council on Foreign Relations and Jean-Yves Camus, a far-right specialist, have voiced skepticism about the feasibility and potential impact of such a plan, with Camus describing Bardella's promises as "science fiction."
The political landscape has also shifted due to Marine Le Pen's potential return to the presidential race, which may influence Bardella's approach. Le Pen is seen as less ideologically flexible than Bardella, and her strong support in the Calais region, a key area for migrant arrivals, adds another layer of complexity.
Despite these challenges, both Reform UK and the National Rally are attempting to project ideological alignment on reducing immigration. For Farage, Bardella's support offers a crucial boost on his party's flagship issue, while for Bardella, the alliance provides an opportunity to enhance his international profile and support Le Pen's campaign. The two leaders first met in December and have maintained contact, with both parties expressing a desire for closer cooperation.