Nigel Farage, leader of the UK political party Reform UK, and Jordan Bardella, president of France’s far-right National Rally party, signed a memorandum of understanding during Reform UK’s conference in Birmingham. The agreement, described as a "new entente cordiale" between the UK and France, is conditional on both parties winning their next national elections. Bardella called the pact "the beginning of the co-operation," signaling a potential shift in relations between the two nations. Bardella emphasized that if National Rally leader Marine Le Pen becomes France’s president in 2027, France would no longer serve as a gateway for illegal migration into the UK. He spoke about the need to "put an end to these deadly routes" used by migrants and to "break the smuggler business model." Both leaders stressed the importance of national sovereignty, stating that the UK and France must "take control of our borders" to prevent unauthorized immigration. Farage expressed hope that the next UK and French governments would commit to ending illegal immigration. He claimed the agreement would "stop the boats forever" and suggested that France would do "its utmost to stop all departures." He added that under his leadership as prime minister, the UK would "actually mean it" when it comes to border control and migration policy. During the signing, an audience member shouted "Viva le France," a phrase often used to express support for France. Bardella, 30, is a rising figure in the French far-right and was once seen as a possible successor to Le Pen. However, he recently pledged his support to Le Pen after a French court reduced her ban from public office, allowing her to run for president in 2027. Farage also raised the idea of repatriating the body of Napoleon III, the first president of France, to France if he becomes prime minister. Napoleon III, who was president from 1848 to 1852 and later emperor until 1870, was exiled in the UK after the Franco-Prussian War and is buried in St Michael’s Abbey in Farnborough. While acknowledging potential legal challenges, Farage suggested that France could obtain the remains if it wanted to.