British Prime Minister Andy Burnham hosted French President Emmanuel Macron at Downing Street on Thursday for crucial discussions on stopping migrant crossings, supporting Ukraine and rebuilding relations between the UK and European Union.
The talks marked Macron’s first official visit to meet with Burnham, who took office on July 20, and came a day after the two leaders joined King Charles III at the British Museum to preview the historic Bayeux Tapestry exhibition.
Burnham and his wife Marie-France van Heel greeted Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron at the iconic black door of Number 10, before heading inside for wide-ranging discussions on shared challenges facing both nations.
Tackling people smugglers
The migrant crisis dominated much of the agenda, with both leaders determined to crack down on criminal gangs using increasingly sophisticated methods to transport people across the English Channel.
Downing Street confirmed that a specialist team of 45 French police officers will be deployed to beaches along the French coast in coming weeks to stop launches of what officials call “mega dinghies” – larger, more powerful boats capable of carrying greater numbers of migrants.
Despite UK government claims on Monday that small boat crossings hit their lowest summer levels since 2019, Burnham warned against becoming too comfortable with the progress.
“Smuggling gangs are constantly adapting their tactics, and the UK and France need to respond quickly,” the prime minister said in a statement released before the meeting.
Closer EU cooperation
Burnham is pushing to strengthen ties with Brussels following years of difficult relations after Brexit, though he has ruled out rejoining the single market, customs union or reinstating freedom of movement rules established by his predecessor Keir Starmer.
“I think 10 years on from Brexit, people here are fed up with the vision, people see that we need to work closer together,” Burnham told journalists late Wednesday.
Macron acknowledged the two countries “do not always see eye to eye” but stressed mutual respect and willingness to discuss advancing the UK’s relationship with the European Union.
The visit holds special significance for Macron, who faces the end of his presidential term in May 2027, making this one of his final opportunities to shape Franco-British relations before leaving office.
Ukraine support continues
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression, with Burnham having made Kyiv his first foreign trip last month.
During Wednesday’s museum event, Macron praised Britain’s decision to share technical information with Ukraine about components for the SCALP long-range missile, the French version of the UK’s Storm Shadow system.
The French president said Thursday’s discussions would include “new initiatives” in the Middle East, though he provided no further details.
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Historic gesture of friendship
The Bayeux Tapestry loan represents a major diplomatic achievement, with Macron having championed the move for nearly a decade as a symbol of renewed cooperation after the Brexit rupture.
“It shows what collaboration can achieve,” Burnham told Macron, describing France’s decision to lend the nearly 1 000-year-old embroidery as a “huge personal gesture of goodwill, trust and friendship”.
The 11th-century masterpiece, depicting William the Conqueror’s Norman invasion of England, arrived in London in July and will remain on display until July 2027. Tickets for the exhibition sold out within days of going on sale.
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