The UK will be allowed to push small boats carrying migrants back into French waters under plans outlined by the man many believe will succeed Emmanuel Macron as president. Jordan Bardella, the leader of the far-right National Rally party, also denounced Sir Keir Starmer’s one-in-one-out deal, calling it a “smokescreen”. He also believes that Nigel Farage will lead Reform UK to victory at the next general election, and therefore the two men must prepare to govern neighbouring nations together.
Mr Bardella wants to completely overhaul France’s immigration policy, which would combat crossings, he argues. This includes relocating asylum processing to embassies and consulates in different countries, as well as “the systematic expulsion of foreign offenders and criminals” and prioritising French citizens for social housing and “assistance”. France would be made “the least attractive country for mass immigration in Europe” and completely close the Calais border, the politician believes.
It is understood that French police have used pushback in their overseas territories for several years.
People have reportedly died or disappeared in the ocean after collisions between small boats and police vessels.
Mr Bardella told The Telegraph that he would allow UK Border Force to carry out “pushbacks” in the English Channel.
The tactic has been explored by British governments, but has not been allowed by France, the newspaper reported.
The presidential frontrunner added that he supported “Franco-British patrols” in the Channel, but insisted that these would ultimately not be necessary.
It comes as Sir Keir Starmer has said that Europe’s leaders must rehash how a major human rights treaty is interpreted in law to tackle illegal migration and prevent voters from turning to “the forces that seek to divide us”.
The Prime Minister and his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen made a joint call on other leaders across the continent to agree a “modernisation” of how the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is interpreted in their countries’ laws.
The Government is reportedly expected to bring forward homegrown legislation to change how the Article 8 right to family life is interpreted in UK courts, and is also considering examining the threshold for Article 3 rights.