Bardella and Farage to discuss migration at Reform UK conference

Far-right National Rally leader Jordan Bardella will meet Reform UK's Nigel Farage at the party's conference in Birmingham on Friday to discuss illegal migration and joint UK-France cooperation on small boat crossings. The meeting follows talks between British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and French President Emmanuel Macron on scaling up efforts against illegal crossings. Bardella, 30, is campaigning as Marine Le Pen's prime ministerial candidate for France's 2027 presidential election, though policy disagreements have emerged on pensions and hijab rules. He has adopted a more market-friendly approach than Le Pen, who has backed protectionist measures, fueling speculation about internal party dynamics. The meeting is clouded by Reform UK being reported to police over alleged illegal foreign donations, which the party denies. Le Pen faces her own legal battles, including an upheld embezzlement conviction, though she remains eligible to run in 2027.