Nigel Farage's meeting with 1 man should terrify European order and UK uniparty

Photos released this week of Nigel Farage meeting National Rally president and would-be French leader Jordan Bardella remind us of the interplay between domestic policies and foreign affairs. Reform UK's immigration plans require massive international cooperation to be effective, not least dealing with small boat crossings across the English Channel.

That is why solid relations with foreign leaders – whether a future President Bardella, or a future US President Vance or current President Trump – are so critical. In fact, Reform in government has a chance to cement Britain's alliance structure, not weaken it. This requires fancy footwork.

Even the most ardent Brexiteers don't want to stop trade with the EU, and even those who want to ditch the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) appreciate the implications for EU-UK relations as well as the Good Friday Agreement.

Indeed, Reform may come into office with a growing alliance structure overseas, assuming Vance succeeds Trump, National Rally wins in France, and the likes of Hungary and Italy retain their conservative leaderships. Let's not forget conservative nations across Africa and Asia.

Reform needs a foreign policy which looks out to the big wide world, starting with the Commonwealth, especially the Commonwealth Realms with whom we share a king, such as Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

That could also help the UK's diminishing but still important military reach, as we tag-team with sibling countries in the Americas and Pacific.

Looking beyond a sclerotic EU, the UK needs a friendly but assertive foreign policy putting the national interest first. As an example, the Chagos Islands should not be sold out under the noses of its own people to Mauritius.

Having a Commonwealth-first foreign policy – perhaps with a Commonwealth defence pact or aid program – could also make it easier to deal with illegal migrants since many come from the likes of Pakistan.

Under successive Uniparty governments, the UK has acted like a European minion and global spent force.

Reform has a chance to reverse that, building an alliance of like-minded countries (heck, even Japan's leaders have more in common with Nigel Farage than Sir Keir Starmer), putting the Commonwealth first, and ensuring the national interest is protected.

Respect for the global democratic order does not mean tying Britain up in international agreements and seconding everything to supranational organisations, except perhaps a Commonwealth which the UK can help lead and direct.

Reform will have its work cut out in the Foreign Office. But, make no mistake, UK foreign policy will be immeasurably important in rebuilding Britain both at home and abroad.