A recent agreement between Reform UK and France’s far-right National Rally party, aiming to return migrants arriving in the UK via small boats back to France, has triggered a significant political backlash in France. Critics have argued the deal goes against France’s national interests and sovereignty, particularly due to a disputed clause regarding the acceptance of returned individuals.
Details of the Disputed Migrant Policy Deal
The “memorandum of understanding”, unveiled last week by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and National Rally President Jordan Bardella, outlines that if both become prime ministers, the UK would intercept boats launched from the French coast. The core of the controversy lies in the stipulation that France would then return those people to their countries of origin. However, the English version of the document included an additional phrase stating “France will ordinarily accept these persons”, which appears to contradict Marine Le Pen’s long-held policy of refusing to accept the return of those arriving in the UK from France, as reported by The Guardian.
Marine Le Pen, the National Rally’s presidential candidate, has previously advocated for rewriting border agreements to allow the UK to send individuals directly to their countries of origin, rather than returning them to France. When pressed by journalists from France TV, Le Pen declined to comment on the agreement, stating she would discuss it at a time of her choosing. Despite the criticism, a Reform UK spokesperson affirmed the deal was “signed off by both Bardella and the presidential team” and that both parties were “fully on board,” with the policy included in both French and English versions. The agreement itself is described by UnHerd as a “non-binding agreement” that is “short on specifics” and conditional on both parties holding power.
Widespread Condemnation from French Politicians
The agreement has drawn strong condemnation from across the French political spectrum. Benjamin Haddad, France’s Europe minister, criticised Bardella for “submission” that was “against our interests and sovereignty.” Sacha Houlié, an ally of presidential candidate Raphael Glucksmann, described it as “a miserable episode where the whole of France could see Mr Bardella used as a doormat by the English far-right.” He added, “You claim to be patriots, you’re cowards.”
Former Prime Minister and presidential candidate Gabriel Attal questioned Bardella’s understanding of English or his strength in defending French interests, calling it “total submission.” Édouard Philippe, another former prime minister and centre-right candidate, highlighted perceived hypocrisy and division within Bardella’s party, suggesting he struggled to protect French interests against Farage. Xavier Bertrand, head of the northern Hauts-de-France region, argued that by agreeing to take sole responsibility for returns, Bardella was “reducing France to the status of Britain’s subcontractor.” Meanwhile, Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp called Reform UK’s deal a “complete farce,” lacking detail and seriousness. These discussions occur as the UK continues to grapple with its own asylum policy challenges, including recent moves such as UK Asylum Hotels Close Amid Policy Changes.
Internal Dynamics and Future Implications
Jordan Bardella, who had been seen as a potential successor to Marine Le Pen, is now set to run as her future prime minister, especially after a Paris appeal court reduced Le Pen’s ban from running for office, allowing her to stand in the next presidential election. This shift has reportedly led to Bardella facing mounting pushback and his authority within the National Rally appearing to erode. Bardella, speaking in Italy, suggested his party, if in government, would prevent migrants from reaching France through tougher border controls, thereby reducing the numbers crossing to the UK, an approach that would negate the need for returns to French soil.
