Reform UK has stated that the memorandum with the French party National Rally on the return of migrants across the English Channel was agreed by its president, Jordan Bardella, and his presidential team. The agreement, which Bardella signed with Nigel Farage, has drawn criticism in France: opponents believe it could place an obligation on the country to accept people intercepted by the British side.
Briefly about the main points
- Reform UK has stated that it fully endorses the memorandum issued by the leadership of the National Rally.
- Both texts provide for the interception of boats by Britain and the return of the people to their countries of origin.
- The English version contains an additional provision concerning the admission of people by France.
- The National Rally described the document as a declaration of intent, which is still to be finalised.
- French politicians have accused Bardella of making concessions to the British side.
The English text contains a separate provision concerning France
Farage і Bardella signed a document, described as a memorandum of understanding, on stage in Birmingham. The French and English versions state that the UK will intercept boats that have set sail from the French coast, whilst France will return the people on board to their countries of origin.
At the same time, the English text contains an additional phrase: France «will normally receive these individuals» before they return home. It was precisely this provision that gave the impression that Bardella had agreed to France’s admission of people, whom Britain will return across the English Channel. The French media also questioned whether the translation accurately conveyed the document’s meaning.
Reform UK and the National Rally describe the status of the agreement in different ways
A spokesperson for Reform UK stated that the relevant provision is included in both language versions, and that the parties «fully support» the agreement. According to him, it has been endorsed by both Bardella and the National Rally’s presidential team.
The National Rally itself told France TV that this was merely a declaration of intent, the details of which are to be clarified at a later date. Speaking in Italy, Bardella said that his party’s government would tighten border controls in order to reduce the number of people reaching the UK.
The agreement diverges from Marine Le Pen’s previous stance
A possible obligation to accept people returned from the UK runs counter to Marine Le Pen’s long-standing position. In 2021, she proposed amending border agreements so that people arriving by boat would be returned directly to their countries of origin, rather than to France.
When asked by France TV about the new memorandum, Le Pen declined to comment immediately, promising to speak on the matter later. Until the summer, Bardella had been seen as a possible replacement for Le Pen in next spring’s presidential election, but he is now set to stand as her future prime minister.
French opponents described the signing as a concession to the British side
The Minister for European Affairs, Benjamin Haddad, described Bardella’s actions as «subordination», which runs counter to France’s interests and sovereignty. MP Sasha Ulier, former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, as well as Édouard Philippe and Xavier Bertrand, criticised the leader of the National Rally for his inability to defend French interests.
Bertrand stated that the agreement turns France into «Britain’s subcontractor» when it comes to returning people to their countries of origin. Chris Philp, the Conservative Party’s shadow home secretary, described the agreement between Reform UK and Bardella as a «farce» and criticised it for lacking details that would stand up to practical scrutiny.
