Rishi Sunak has vowed to “finish the job” of getting his Rwanda plan off the ground as he batted away questions about his future and fought to regain control of his mutinous party.
The leader of the United Kingdom announced that his proposed legislation for Rwanda would prevent any legal disputes and ultimately permit deportation flights to depart for the African nation, despite resistance from extreme members of the Conservative party and the potential for a contentious debate in Parliament.
In defense of his proposals, he stated that the legislation fundamentally tackled the issues raised by the supreme court regarding deportation policies and would ensure that Rwanda is a completely safe haven for those seeking asylum.
His tetchy appearance at an emergency press conference followed a chaotic 24 hours during which his immigration minister, Robert Jenrick, quit over the proposed law, arguing that it did not go far enough and was a “triumph of hope over experience”.
The departure of the prime minister has dealt a significant blow to his government’s credibility, as he had made it a priority to develop a strategy to prevent illegal boat arrivals. This event coincides with rumors that members of the Conservative party were submitting letters to initiate a confidence vote.
The government is aiming to quickly pass emergency laws in parliament that would declare Rwanda as a secure place for those seeking asylum. The initial voting on this matter is expected to take place on Tuesday.
In the House of Commons, conservative members may try to strengthen the legislation by proposing that it essentially supersedes international law. Sources also mentioned that lawmakers from the more moderate One Nation faction of the party were feeling worried about the potential consequences of the bill, which could face obstacles if it reaches the House of Lords.
When asked multiple times about his stance, Sunak informed the media that he would not view the legislation as a sign of support for his leadership, allowing members of the Conservative party to vote against it. Since the Labour party has already declared its opposition, only 29 Conservative MPs would be needed to reject the plans.
When asked if he would hold a general election if the legislation was obstructed, Sunak replied: “We need to complete this task and I am committed to seeing it through. I have confidence that I can successfully accomplish this.”
In an effort to suppress a rising insurgency within the Conservative party’s right wing, the prime minister stated that the proposed legislation would serve as a “successful deterrent” for individuals entering the UK unlawfully and would rebuild public confidence in the system.
He stated that the legislation would put an end to the continuous legal disputes that have hindered the implementation of the Rwanda plan. Sunak emphasized that they have addressed every possible obstacle that has been used to impede flights to Rwanda and have set strict criteria that will be difficult to meet.
“The only extremely narrow exception will be if you can prove with credible and compelling evidence that you specifically have a real and imminent risk of serious and irreversible harm.”
He tried to reduce the discrepancies with the conservative faction. “To those who suggest I should take a different approach, the gap between their beliefs and mine is small, considering all that we have accomplished. It’s just a small difference,” he stated.
“That single inch is the determining factor between the Rwandans taking part in this program or not.”
The government of Kigali has emphasized the importance of ensuring that the new UK law aligns with international regulations. Sunak stated, “Continuing down this path will result in the complete failure of the program, rendering the bill ineffective in providing a destination for individuals.”
However, Sunak reiterated his stance that in the event of the European Court of Human Rights intervening to prevent flights from departing after the legislation is implemented, he would take necessary action to ensure the scheme’s functionality. This was a subtle indication to the conservative faction that he may contemplate withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights entirely.
On Wednesday, Jenrick resigned from his position following the revelation that the legislation did not permit the government to bypass international laws preventing them from sending asylum seekers to Rwanda. This means that the new law is likely to face legal challenges if implemented.
Sunak has selected two ministers to handle the task, dividing it into two parts in order to emphasize the significance of migration in his Conservative agenda. Michael Tomlinson will take on the role of minister for illegal migration, with a seat in the cabinet, while Tom Pursglove will serve as the minister for legal migration and delivery.
Earlier today, Suella Braverman, the former home secretary, commented on the bill, stating, “Unfortunately, the truth is that it will not be effective.”
Braverman once again informed Sunak of the dangerous predicament the Conservatives were facing due to his promise to prevent immigration at the beginning of the year. She stated that unless ministers prevented all legislation used to stop deportation flights, the Tories would face political ruin.
The urgent legislation will grant ministers the authority to disregard select rulings from the Strasbourg court concerning asylum, without completely withdrawing or invalidating the ECHR.
Source: theguardian.com
