French far-right leader Jordan Bardella is set to deliver a speech at the Reform UK party conference in Birmingham next week. The visit is part of an effort to bolster international connections ahead of Marine Le Pen's campaign for the French presidency next spring.
Mr Bardella's team has confirmed he will travel to Birmingham to address the conference next Friday and participate in a joint press conference with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage. Mr Bardella and Mr Farage previously met for a private lunch in London late last year, where they discussed anti-immigration policies.
Mr Bardella, who is the president of the National Rally (RN) and a Member of the European Parliament, has expressed support for increased police cooperation between London and Paris regarding individuals crossing the Channel in small boats. He advocates for migrants to be returned to their countries of origin rather than to France.
Marine Le Pen, whose far-right, anti-immigration National Rally is performing strongly in polls, is predicted to advance to the final round of the French presidential race in May. She launched her presidential campaign this summer, despite a Paris appeal court upholding a conviction related to the alleged embezzlement of European parliament funds.