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 prime minister of the UK announced that his proposed legislation in Rwanda would eliminate the possibility of legal disputes and ultimately enable deportation flights to depart for the African nation. This decision has faced criticism from strict members of the Conservative party and may result in a contentious debate in parliament.
He justified his proposals by stating that the legislation directly tackled the issues highlighted by the supreme court regarding the deportation policy. He also ensured that Rwanda would be unquestionably secure for those seeking asylum.
He appeared agitated during a sudden press briefing after a tumultuous day where his immigration minister, Robert Jenrick, resigned due to the proposed legislation. Jenrick believed it was inadequate and relied too heavily on optimism rather than past events.
The leader of the country has risked the credibility of their administration by relying on devising a strategy to prevent unauthorized boat arrivals. This incident greatly undermines their power and coincides with rumors that members of the Conservative party were submitting letters to initiate a vote of confidence.
The government plans to expedite the passing of emergency laws in parliament that will allow MPs and peers to declare Rwanda as a secure place for those seeking asylum. The initial voting is anticipated to take place on Tuesday.
Conservative members of Parliament who lean towards the right may attempt to strengthen the bill by proposing for it to essentially supersede international law. Additionally, sources have indicated that Members of Parliament from the more moderate One Nation faction of the party are feeling uneasy about the potential consequences of the legislation. If the bill reaches the House of Lords, it is expected to encounter challenges.
Sunak responded to numerous inquiries about his stance by stating that he would not view the bill as a display of support for his leadership, allowing Conservative dissenters to vote against it. As the Labour Party has declared their opposition to the proposal, it would only require 29 Conservative Members of Parliament to reject it.
When asked if he would hold a general election if the legislation was blocked, Sunak responded by stating that he is committed to completing the task at hand and is confident in his ability to see it through.
The prime minister has announced measures to quell a rising uprising within the Conservative party’s far-right faction. They claim that the proposed legislation will serve as a strong deterrent for those attempting to enter the UK illegally, and will help regain public confidence in the immigration system.
He stated that the legislation would put a stop to the continuous legal disputes that had hindered the implementation of the Rwanda plan until now. Sunak added that they have addressed all potential obstacles that have been used in the past to impede flights to Rwanda, setting a very high standard that will be difficult to meet.
The only very limited case where this may not apply is if you can provide convincing and strong proof that you personally face a genuine and immediate danger of severe and irreversible damage.
He tried to reduce the contrasts with the conservative faction. “For those who suggest that I should make a change, the only difference between us is small, considering all that we have accomplished. We’re talking about a small difference,” he explained.
“That one inch represents the distinction between Rwandans who are involved in this plan and those who are not.”
The government of Kigali has emphasized the importance of ensuring that the new UK law is in line with global legal standards. Sunak stated, “If we push beyond this point, the entire system will fail and there is no purpose in having a bill without a place to accommodate individuals.”
Sunak restated his stance that in the event of the European court of human rights interfering with flight departures after the legislation was implemented, he would take necessary steps to ensure the program’s functionality. This alluded to the conservative right that he may potentially withdraw from the European convention on human rights entirely.
On Wednesday, Jenrick resigned from his position due to the revelation that the government could not use the law to bypass international laws preventing them from sending asylum seekers to Rwanda. This would likely result in a legal challenge to the new law.
Sunak has assigned two ministers to handle the task, dividing it into two parts in order to emphasize the significance of migration to his Conservative agenda. Michael Tomlinson will now serve as the minister in charge of addressing illegal migration and will attend cabinet meetings, while Tom Pursglove will take on the role of minister for legal migration and its execution.
Earlier on Thursday, Suella Braverman, the former home secretary, commented on the bill, stating, “Unfortunate as it may be, the truth is that it simply will not be effective.”
Braverman again told Sunak of the “perilous situation” the Conservatives had found themselves in, given his pledge to “stop the boats” at the start of the year. She has said the Tories faced “electoral oblivion” unless ministers blocked all laws used to halt deportation flights.
The new law will grant government officials the ability to disregard certain rulings made by the Strasbourg court regarding asylum, but will not completely withdraw or reject the European Convention on Human Rights.
Source: theguardian.com
