Farage signs pact with French firebrand Jordan Bardella to 'stop the boats forever' - by sending migrants straight back

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 08:54 EDT, 4 September 2026 | Updated: 09:31 EDT, 4 September 2026 French firebrand Jordan Bardella has told Nigel Farage his party is ready to help end the Channel boats crisis for good.In a tubthumping speech to the Reform conference, Mr Bardella said that if the National Rally wins elections next year it will 'do everything' to ensure France stops being the 'gateway for illegal migration into the UK'.He joined Mr Farage on stage to sign a deal that would allow thousands of illegal migrants to be returned to French shores after entering British waters. Mr Farage said that could stop the boats arriving within 100 days. 'The English Channel must no longer be an immigration route to Dover and Folkestone,' Mr Bardella told activists in Birmingham. French firebrand Jordan Bardella has told Nigel Farage his party is ready help close the Channel to small boats Thanking Mr Bardella, Mr Farage said he was forging a new 'entente cordiale' with FranceMr Bardella and Mr Farage signed a memorandum of understanding about Channel boats on stage today'The destination of illegal migrants entering France should not be the United Kingdom, they should be returned to their countries of origin.'He continued: 'We must put an end to these deadly routes, we must break the smuggler business model and together we must take control of our borders.'Thanking Mr Bardella, Mr Farage said he was forging a new 'entente cordiale' with France. He said Reform and the National Rally were signing a memorandum of understanding on stopping the boats.That includes accepting the return of illegal migrants who launched on boats from French shores, entered British territorial waters. 'This is a momentous agreement and shows that both Reform UK and the National Rally are serious about stopping the illegal migrant invasion, fixing our borders, and putting our own people first,' Mr Farage said. The National Rally is regarded by many as favourite to win French elections next year. Mr Bardella is hoping to become PM, while Marine Le Pen is competing to succeed Emmanuel Macron as president. The Brexit champion has been using the conference to try to get back on the front foot, despite the furore over a donations sting that has forced two key aides to step aside. Reform insists its plans can stop the Channel boats within 100 days of taking power Mr Farage is declaring a 'national emergency' on his first day in government, introducing a flood of legislation and doing 'anything and everything' to deliver his party's policies.In a keynote speech later he will say: 'Within days of winning the general election, we will introduce dozens of Bills and force Parliament to sit all through summer for seven days a week to pass them.'Britain is in serious trouble. We don't have time to wait around to fix it.'