France's borderless election

Mr. Sarkozy, the center-right candidate, is generally considered the most likely to institute the kind of reform that might revive France's labor market. He has already conducted a campaign rally in London, and last week sent expatriates an e-mail promising to create a country they might like to return to. "To all those who have left our country because they felt that nothing more could be done, I want to make you want to return," says the e-mail, a copy of which was seen by the Monitor. "To all those who want to create, innovate, work as they wish and had to leave [France] to do that, I say that everything will become possible again in France."

Like setting up a business. Clemence Doyard, who came to London two years ago, is planning to start a company promoting French food. "I would never have dared set up a business in Paris," she says. "It isn't in the spirit of French people. It might not be the case, but it seems more risky to do it in France than in the UK. In the UK, everyone says that it's possible."

Ms. Doyard says not everything in Britain is better than France, particularly for families. "For example, the cost of living is higher in England than in France for me, because of the cost of child care. I do hope I will come back to France, definitely."

She's just not sure Sarkozy is the man to lure her there. "Sarkozy will probably be the one who dares do the reform that the country needs. It doesn't mean he is the one I will vote for. I don't like the character; I think he's often ambiguous."

Ms. Cheney, the student, agrees. "Sarkozy wants to make it easier to fire people," she says, "but he really is too extreme. He scares me."

Officially, France is relaxed about its exodus of young people. Vincent Floreani, press counselor at the French embassy in London, says that expatriation "shows French people are open, that they are not afraid of the world." He notes that there are approximately the same number of French people living in Britain as there are Britons in France.

But privately some admit that comparison is misleading. After all, the stereotypical Briton in France is a retiree seeking the tranquility of la France profonde. The average age of the French in London is 30. For candidates critical of the current stasis under President Jacques Chirac, this represents a failing that needs addressing.

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At the rally here, in a formal lecture hall at Kings College London, about 300 young professionals showed up. Some were openly supportive of Bayrou. Others were there out of curiosity. Aides tried to convince the audience on matters ranging from immigration to education – and on remembering the homeland. As Mr. Perruchot puts it: "We would like to make sure that these people are going to stay for just a couple of years or so – and then come back."

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