UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron recently appeared together, both looking like leaders under pressure.
They’re behind in the polls and are trying to defend their style of politics—one that values patience, complexity, and careful decision-making.
But they are up against growing public frustration. Many people are tired of hearing promises that never seem to deliver. They want fast, bold solutions. And that’s where parties like Reform UK in Britain and National Rally in France come in.
At their joint press conference, Starmer and Macron didn’t name Nigel Farage or Marine Le Pen, but it was clear they had them in mind. Both Reform UK and National Rally appeal to voters by criticising the establishment, speaking in plain language, and promising quick fixes. That approach scares mainstream leaders.
Starmer made a pointed remark: “While we’ve been working hard to fix the issue, others are just taking photos of it.” He was likely referring to Farage, who had spent the morning on a boat in the English Channel filming a segment for GB News. Farage called the new UK-France border deal a “humiliation” and wants the UK to leave the European Convention on Human Rights.
Macron also warned against the “temptation” of populist politics. He urged people to understand that the world is complicated and needs thoughtful solutions, not oversimplified ones.
This moment shows how Starmer is starting to take on Farage more directly. He sees Farage as his main rival in the next election and is warning voters not to fall for “easy answers” that don’t work.
The issue of small boat crossings from France to the UK is central to this political fight. Polls by Portland Communications show that many former Labour voters who switched to Reform UK would consider coming back if small boat arrivals dropped. But most Reform supporters already feel Labour has had enough time to show results—and many see Farage as the politician who best represents real change.
This highlights the challenge for Starmer: convincing voters that smart, steady leadership will work better than bold promises. He’s asking for patience in a time when voters are impatient.
Finally, some top people from both Labour and the Conservatives have quietly admitted something important: while they don’t want Reform UK to win, they fear it might actually happen. They say the public has already given up on the Conservatives—and may soon lose faith in Labour too.
If that happens, Reform UK could break through in a way no third party has before.