Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, has unveiled a new policy proposal aimed at curbing the number of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats. The core of the strategy relies on establishing a cooperative agreement with the French National Rally party, a right-wing political group in France.

Under this proposed framework, Farage stated that a Reform UK government would deploy the Royal Navy to intercept migrant vessels in the Channel. Once intercepted, the policy dictates that these individuals would be returned directly to France. This approach marks a significant shift from current government policies, which focus on processing asylum claims upon arrival in the UK or pursuing the controversial Rwanda deportation scheme.

While the proposal outlines a clear operational goal, it remains a statement of intent contingent upon both Reform UK gaining power in Britain and the National Rally party securing influence or governance in France. The BBC reports that this strategy is central to Reform UK’s platform on immigration, positioning the party as a proponent of more aggressive border enforcement measures. The plan has drawn attention due to its reliance on international cooperation with a party that has historically held a hardline stance on immigration within the European Union. Critics and political analysts note that such a deal would face significant legal and diplomatic hurdles, particularly regarding international maritime law and existing treaties between the UK and France.