French far-right leader Bardella pledges border crackdown at Reform UK event

Jordan Bardella, president of France's National Rally party, addressed Reform UK's annual conference in Birmingham on Friday, outlining a hardline immigration agenda he said his party would implement if it wins power.

Speaking from the stage, Bardella said a National Rally government would simplify immigration policy. "You do not enter France simply because you have decided to, you enter France because France has allowed you to," he said, drawing applause from the audience.

He promised to "restore control and protection at our borders" and to send criminals back to their countries of origin.

Bardella also used the platform to criticise French President Emmanuel Macron, accusing him of failing to protect the country. "For him, mass migration is not a problem. It's a project," Bardella said.

The appearance underscores the growing ties between nationalist parties in Europe. France is a key departure point for migrants attempting to cross the English Channel to Britain, making French cooperation central to any effort to reduce those crossings.

Bardella appeared on stage alongside Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, signalling alignment between the two parties on migration policy.