In London, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is currently facing a significant challenge within his party regarding his new immigration policy.
This policy, known as the “Rwanda immigration bill,” is being seen as the UK’s strictest immigration law to date. Sunak is pushing for this bill despite strong opposition from some members of his Conservative Party.
The bill’s main point of contention is the plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda, a move that was previously blocked by the Supreme Court.
The court ruled that Rwanda was not a safe destination for these individuals. Despite this, Sunak introduced a revised version of the bill, the “Safety of Rwanda Bill,” which aims to bypass both domestic and international laws.
The bill is set for debate and a vote in Parliament, and Sunak is working hard to rally support.
He’s been meeting with MPs, including hosting a breakfast at Downing Street, to discuss the bill. However, he faces resistance from both moderate and hardline members of his party. Moderates are concerned about potential human rights violations, while the hardliners argue that the bill won’t effectively curb illegal immigration.
The Conservative Party currently holds a majority in the House of Commons, but opposition to the bill is strong enough that it could potentially fail if about 30 Conservative MPs side with the opposition parties. More than 20 MPs are reportedly planning to rebel against the bill.
A defeat in this vote would be a significant setback for Sunak, who has prioritized stopping illegal boat arrivals. It would also weaken his authority over the party, especially as the UK approaches a general election likely next year.
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who was removed from her position last month, is leading a faction within the party that is questioning Sunak’s leadership. Meanwhile, opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer has criticized the bill as a “gimmick” and proposed using funds for increased cross-border policing to tackle human trafficking instead.
The government has already paid £240 million to Rwanda under this plan, but so far, no refugees have been sent there. The country reportedly can settle only several hundred refugees.
As the debate and vote approach, all eyes are on Sunak and his party, with the outcome likely to have significant implications for his leadership and the direction of UK immigration policy
