The controversy surrounding Rishi Sunak’s asylum policy has been revived as government officials revealed that the Rwanda bill will be revisited in the House of Commons next week.
The prime minister faced pressure from conservative members of the Tory party, such as Suella Braverman and Robert Jenrick, to agree to changes that would restrict individual challenges by immigrants and prohibit the European court of human rights from halting deportation flights to central Africa.
Members of the One Nation group, consisting of 100 Moderate Conservatives, have cautioned that Sunak could potentially face a rebellion if he chooses to disregard international law, as it seems that No 10 is pushing back against pressure from the far right.
Friction arose following Penny Mordaunt, the leader of the House of Commons, disclosed that the bill would undergo two days of detailed examination in a committee comprised of all members of the house on Tuesday and Wednesday.
A coalition of conservative organizations announced on Tuesday evening that they have formulated amendments with the support of over 30 Members of Parliament. These amendments aim to put an end to the continuous cycle of legal disputes that hinder the removal of undocumented migrants.
Jenrick, who used to be an ally of Sunak and stepped down as immigration minister in December, stated that he has reviewed legal counsel which indicates that the present legislation would be ineffective.
He stated that the current version of the bill will not be effective because it does not put an end to the continuous cycle of legal disputes that impede the process of removal. He has reviewed the legal recommendations and strategic plans that clearly show this issue.
The speaker stated that they and their colleagues have proposed changes that would stop small boats from arriving and allowing individuals to make claims. They also aim to prevent Strasbourg’s rule 39 pajama injunctions from grounding planes.
The changes intend to limit the number of avenues for legal disputes, with the exception of certain cases such as when a person seeking asylum is unable to travel for medical reasons, according to the statement. The changes also aim to prevent Strasbourg judges from issuing rule 39 injunctions, also known as “pyjama junctions,” which are commonly used to halt a deportation or extradition.
A third revision is anticipated to broaden the “notwithstanding” provisions in the legislation to encompass international laws, while a fourth revision is expected to prohibit a court from issuing a “declaration of incompatibility” for the legislation with the Human Rights Act and the European Convention on Human Rights.
It is anticipated that Members of Parliament who may back four proposed changes include ex-Conservative head Iain Duncan Smith, former Cabinet member Jacob Rees-Mogg, New Conservatives leaders Danny Kruger and Miriam Cates, and also Simon Clarke, Jake Berry, John Hayes, John Redwood, and Mark Francois.
MPs from the left wing of the party have cautioned Sunak to enforce the whip in order to discourage individuals from backing the proposed changes. A representative from One Nation stated, “We will resist the amendments and trust that the government will use the whip to oppose them.”
Chairman of the One Nation group, Damian Green, expressed to the New Statesman that the prime minister’s actions are almost at an acceptable level. The majority of group members voted in favor of a second reading with the clear message of not wanting any further progress and refusing to take any additional steps, despite pressure from party members on the right.
Green’s team has identified two key points: first, any laws implemented must not restrict all possible avenues for individuals seeking asylum; second, they must not violate international agreements such as the European Convention on Human Rights, the UN Refugee Convention, and the Convention against Torture.
The Home Office has stated that Home Secretary James Cleverly, Minister Michael Tomlinson, and other officials have started discussions with Conservative MPs to alleviate any concerns regarding the bill. However, they are currently unable to review the contents of the extreme amendments.
The government is anticipating a repeat of the previous right-wing revolt in December, during which the bill easily passed its first stage in the House of Commons with a 44-vote majority. According to the prime minister’s spokesperson, the government remains open to hearing all perspectives, but it seems that there is little room for flexibility.
The prime minister believes that the bill has been meticulously prepared,” he stated. “We are willing to continue listening, but we must make sure that the bill remains effective as a deterrent and also maintains the support of the Rwandan government. These are the boundaries within which we are operating, but we are eager to hear from members of parliament.”
Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, attempted to take advantage of disagreements within the Tory party and urged the government to be transparent about the total expenses of the program. She stated that the estimated cost would be close to £400 million in a span of five years.
The prime minister is persisting with a plan that he lacks faith in, doubts will be successful, and is aware is overly costly because of his lack of strength. His only motivation seems to be preventing his fellow party members from ousting him, despite the cost to taxpayers.
Source: theguardian.com
