UK leader Rishi Sunak faces the riskiest week of his premiership, with lawmakers gathering on Monday to decide whether to back his flagship policy to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. Factions of MPs from across Sunak’s divided Conservatives have convened meetings to consider how to vote when the controversial legislation goes before parliament on Tuesday.
Sunak has put the plan at the heart of his pledge to stop irregular migration, making the issue a key battleground in a general election expected next year. But opposition to the scheme from both right-wingers and centrists is widening schisms in the ruling party, putting Sunak’s year-and-a-bit leadership in jeopardy.
The government announced a new bill last week after Supreme Court judges ruled in November that the deportation plan was illegal, as Rwanda was not a safe country.
The proposed legislation raises significant concerns about human rights violations and the UK’s compliance with international law, said a spokesperson for Amnesty International. It is crucial that the rights of asylum seekers are protected and that the UK government upholds its obligations.
Opposition parties have also voiced their objections to the bill. This is another example of the government’s disdain for human rights and disregard for international law, stated a representative from the Labour Party. We will vigorously oppose this legislation and fight for the rights of vulnerable asylum seekers.
However, not everyone within the Conservative Party is united in their opposition to the bill. Right-wing MPs, including Suella Braverman, have criticized the legislation for not going far enough. They argue that the UK should withdraw from international treaties to prevent courts from blocking asylum-seeker removals.
The powerful European Research Group (ERG), which advocates a hardline Brexit, has also raised concerns. While they acknowledge that the bill is the toughest migration legislation put forward by a UK government, they emphasize that significant amendments are required to address potential legal challenges.
Rishi Sunak has staked his political reputation and his promise to stop the boats crossing the Channel on the Rwanda scheme. The plan has faced numerous legal hurdles since deportations were halted in June 2022. The European Court of Human Rights issued an injunction, and now, Sunak seeks to regain momentum by pushing the contested legislation through parliament.
Tueaday’s vote on the bill, termed the second reading, will be the first opportunity for MPs to express their support or opposition. The outcome of this crucial test will not only determine the immediate fate of asylum seekers but also shape the trajectory of Sunak’s leadership and influence the upcoming general election.
The debate surrounding this policy has ignited deep divisions within the Conservative Party, fueling an ideological clash between right-wingers and centrists. As the vote approaches, anticipation grows over how MPs will cast their ballots and what consequences may ensue for the ruling party.
Prime Minister Sunak’s pledge to tackle irregular migration faces significant challenges, both within his own party and among opposition groups. The fate of asylum seekers, the rule of law, and the UK’s standing on the international stage all hang in the balance as MPs prepare to decide on this contentious policy.
