UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is pushing for a migration agreement with French President Emmanuel Macron during the final day of a state visit marked by royal pageantry and renewed bilateral ties. Following a carriage procession with King Charles and a banquet at Windsor Castle, Starmer is seeking concrete progress on curbing illegal immigration, particularly small boat crossings across the English Channel.
Central to the talks is a proposed "one in, one out" migrant deal, where the UK would return asylum seekers arriving via small boats to France in exchange for accepting an equal number of legitimate asylum applicants. Macron, however, emphasized the need for the UK to reduce "pull factors," urging stronger enforcement against illegal employment to deter undocumented migrants.
Downing Street confirmed both leaders agreed on the need for innovative solutions. Starmer highlighted increased arrests of undocumented workers in the UK as part of the strategy to curb illegal migration and satisfy rising political pressure, particularly from the right-wing Reform UK party led by Nigel Farage.
While a returns deal may not materialize immediately, the visit has already yielded strategic defence agreements. Britain and France will jointly order more Storm Shadow cruise missiles for Ukraine and deepen nuclear cooperation, marking the first time both nations will coordinate their deterrent capabilities. These moves reinforce their NATO alliance and shared commitment to European security.
The visit—the first European state visit to the UK since Brexit—provided a diplomatic boost for both leaders amid domestic challenges, showcasing a renewed commitment to Anglo-French cooperation on defence and migration. Macron’s close rapport with King Charles and the symbolism of the visit underline efforts to reset relations strained by years of Brexit-related disputes.