Farage and Bardella's parties unite on Channel migration plan

Nigel Farage's Reform UK and Jordan Bardella's National Rally signed a migration agreement on Friday, pledging joint action to stop small boat crossings of the English Channel if both parties gain power. The deal, announced at Reform UK's Birmingham conference, commits the British navy to intercept boats and return migrants to France, where they would be deported to their origin countries. Bardella said the agreement responds to France's failure to protect its borders. The partnership follows months of cooperation between the two parties, both leading national polls. Farage previously rejected alliances with the French far-right, citing its historical antisemitism, but changed his stance after Brexit. The parties still differ on EU membership, with Bardella ruling out a French exit.