Rishi Sunak Struggles to Gain Support for Contentious Rwanda Migrant Law in the UK
London: UK leader Rishi Sunak is facing significant opposition as he tries to gain support for his controversial plan to send migrants to Rwanda. With a general election on the horizon, Sunak’s authority is being put to the test.
The UK Parliament has commenced a two-day debate on the scheme, which is a crucial component of Sunak’s promise to prevent asylum seekers from crossing the English Channel from France in small boats.
As the Conservative prime minister, Sunak has staked his political future on reducing both regular and irregular migration, and the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill is pivotal to this commitment.
However, the proposal has reopened divisions within Sunak’s ruling Tory party, pitting right-wingers against centrists and leaving the prime minister in a difficult position as he fights to pass the bill into law.
The plan is Sunak’s response to a unanimous ruling by the UK Supreme Court in November, which declared that deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda violates international law.
If the bill is passed, it would require judges to consider Rwanda as a safe third country and grant UK ministers the power to disregard certain sections of international and British human rights legislation.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has reiterated this week that the bill, along with a recently signed treaty designating Rwanda as “safe,” is not compatible with international refugee law.
Over 60 Members of Parliament (MPs), including two Tory deputy chairmen, have publicly supported amendments to make the bill even stricter. This has put Sunak’s leadership skills to the test, with calls for the dismissal of these rebel MPs. The in-fighting within the party is reminiscent of the divisions seen during the Brexit debates.
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who initially introduced the Rwanda scheme during his time in office, has also backed these amendments, although he is no longer an MP and cannot vote.
If Sunak succumbs to the demands of the rebels, the bill is likely to be rejected by moderate MPs who oppose violating international law and argue that the legislation already pushes its limits.
In an attempt to appease MPs concerned about individual appeals against deportation to Rwanda clogging the courts, Sunak’s government announced on Tuesday that it would employ new judges to expedite these cases. The Justice Secretary, Alex Chalk, stated that these changes would provide an additional 5,000 sitting days to hear appeals.
A spokesperson for Sunak emphasized that this step demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensuring that flights to Kigali can proceed.
However, several right-wing MPs argued during the House of Commons debate that Sunak’s bill does not go far enough. Former Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick, who resigned in protest against the bill in December, stated that these amendments represent the final opportunity to get this policy right.
Although it is unlikely that the amendments will be passed, they will serve as an indication of whether Sunak is at risk of losing a crucial vote on his bill, expected to take place on Wednesday night. Sunak’s spokesperson confirmed that discussions with lawmakers are still ongoing.
Rebels within the party had previously threatened to block the Rwanda legislation during the first vote on the issue last month. However, Sunak managed to face them down and secure a narrow parliamentary victory.
Ultimately, the rebels may decide that it is in their best interest to support their leader rather than aligning with the main opposition Labour party, which has dismissed the plan as a “gimmick.”
The prime minister argues that the law is essential to deter migrants from considering unauthorized routes to the UK. Last year, around 30,000 asylum seekers crossed the English Channel on makeshift vessels, with five losing their lives in an attempt to make the perilous journey over the past weekend.
While Sunak has yet to announce the date of the UK’s general election, he has stated that it will take place this year. However, recent opinion polls indicate that Labour is leading the Tories by over 20 points, suggesting that the ruling party is heading towards a significant defeat.
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