Prominent members of the Conservative party are cautioning that Rishi Sunak’s proposed emergency plan for Rwanda is unlikely to pass in its current state, as he faces a crucial vote during his time as prime minister.
The Liberal Tories have announced that they still have reservations about supporting the Prime Minister against the conservative wing, and more proof is needed to ease their concerns. In addition, a group of legal experts known as the “star chamber” has identified issues with the proposals from the Tory right that are challenging to resolve.
This indicates that, although Tory whips are confident in their ability to secure enough votes to pass the proposals on Tuesday, moderate Tories are concerned that Sunak is determined to pursue a path that has united his opponents and may ultimately jeopardize his leadership. One prominent figure on the right stated, “This is reminiscent of Brexit in that it will bring the entire right-wing together. It is a unifying force for the right.”
A previous government official stated: “If, in half a year, we discover that the legislation is in effect but ineffective, it will be a disaster for Rishi. Therefore, it is important that they ensure its success. The consequences are extremely significant.”
On Tuesday, the initial significant vote on the proposed Rwanda bill will occur. This bill aims to enable the UK to deport migrants who arrive by small boats back to Rwanda, without facing legal obstacles. Over the weekend, it became apparent that both the liberal and right-wing factions of the party have growing concerns about the bill.
The plan is facing criticism from the right for not fully ignoring the European Court of Human Rights. Meanwhile, the left has raised multiple concerns this weekend, one being that it goes against international law. Both sides are scheduled to convene on Monday to discuss and clarify their stances.
Damian Green, Chair of the One Nation caucus of liberal Conservative MPs, wrote for the Observer on Sunday about his thoughts on the prime minister’s claim that the proposals are legally sound. However, he also expressed concerns about the specific details outlined in the bill.
“We have three main concerns regarding this issue. Firstly, we are concerned about the approach of passing laws without proper evidence, as the bill simply claims that Rwanda is a safe country without providing proof. The government must demonstrate the safety of Rwanda. Secondly, we are troubled by the bill granting ministers unchecked authority without the opportunity for review. This aspect requires further examination. Lastly, we are worried about the removal of the obligation for public authorities to uphold human rights.”
Although there is expected to be sufficient backing for the bill in its initial vote on Tuesday, several members of parliament have expressed uncertainty about its passage. A mere 30 Conservative MPs would be enough to defeat it.
Prominent members of the legal community are expressing concern about the bill. Nick Vineall KC, who leads the Bar Council, stated that the bill raises significant concerns about the rule of law. He also pointed out that the bill considers Rwanda to be a safe country, regardless of whether it actually is, which goes against our responsibility under international law to ensure that asylum seekers are only sent to truly safe countries. Additionally, the bill severely limits the circumstances in which human rights challenges can be made, which will likely result in legal challenges being brought forth.
The individuals on the right have stated that they currently do not have any immediate intentions to present letters of no confidence in Sunak. Instead, their attention is directed towards carefully reviewing the specifics of the Rwanda bill. However, a growing number of MPs are now of the opinion that Sunak’s future is closely intertwined with the outcome of the bill. Some are drawing comparisons between his situation and that of Theresa May, who was forced to resign after trying to pass a compromised Brexit deal despite opposition from the right.
Certain Members of Parliament hold the belief that the party’s enforcers are extremely eager for the bill to be approved on Tuesday. After this, Sunak will hold Labour responsible for hindering the Rwanda proposal as a part of his campaign strategy. Sunak’s words on Saturday evening seemed to confirm these suspicions, as he stated that Labour has no strategy to address illegal immigration. He further stated that this week, Labour must rise above their political maneuvers and prioritize the nation’s best interests.
Keir Starmer is using the current division within the Tory party to his advantage by delivering a speech aimed at those who had voted for the Conservatives in the previous election. He plans to address voters from a key constituency on Tuesday, with the goal of regaining support from the “red wall” areas. He will emphasize that his party represents important British principles and criticize Chancellor Sunak’s leadership abilities.
“Instead of focusing on self-importance and bickering amongst their factions and closed-door meetings, they should be governing for the benefit of the country,” he stated. “I have worked tirelessly to bring the Labour party back to its purpose of serving the people, and I will do the same for British politics. I refuse to let the Tories drag our nation down with their actions.”
Source: theguardian.com
