Two deputy chairs of the ruling British Conservative party have resigned, dealing a blow to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, after they voted in favor of hardline amendments that clashed with his stance.
Sunak has been adamant that the proposed bill represents the government’s maximum effort in controlling asylum seekers, emphasizing that Rwanda would withdraw its cooperation if the UK were to breach international law.
The proposed Rwanda policy aims to restrict the number of migrants entering the UK illegally. Under this law, some asylum-seekers would be directed to East Africa, specifically Rwanda, for the processing of their claims.
This contested and costly policy has taken a central role in the British leader’s strategy to secure victory in an upcoming election later this year.
To achieve this goal, Sunak needs to unify his divided party, which currently lags far behind the Labour opposition in opinion polls.
However, within the Conservative party, there is a divide between its more liberal and authoritarian wings regarding the Rwanda plan.
James Cleverly signs new Rwanda treaty with Foreign Minister Vincent Biruta. Reuters
Moderates express concerns that the policy is overly extreme, while many on the party’s right-wing believe it does not go far enough in addressing the issue of irregular migration.
The United Nations’ refugee agency has underscored these concerns by stating that the Rwanda plan “is not compatible with international refugee law.”
All of Britain’s main opposition parties are against the bill.
Scottish National Party lawmaker Alison Thewliss has labeled it an “irredeemably awful” piece of legislation, asserting that it “will fail to reach its objectives because it fails to engage with reality” and does not comprehend the reasons driving people to flee their home countries.
In a setback for Sunak, two deputy chairmen of the Conservative Party, Lee Anderson and Brendan Clarke-Smith, have announced their support for amendments aimed at restricting asylum-seekers’ avenues for appeal against deportation to Rwanda.
Former Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick, another Conservative rebel, has insisted that only “the most robust action” can act as a deterrent for potential migrants.
“I want to stop the boats and secure our borders,” Jenrick stated during the House of Commons debate.
Asylum seekers at centre of humanitarian crisis in Glasgow
Over 60 Tory lawmakers, including former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, are pushing for tougher legislation. Some have indicated that they will vote against the bill unless it is strengthened.
With the addition of opposition party votes, this could potentially lead to the bill’s defeat, posing a significant challenge to Sunak’s authority and potentially jeopardizing the Rwanda plan.
The bill is scheduled for its crucial third reading in the House of Commons on Wednesday, January 17.
The Rwanda policy is pivotal to Sunak’s commitment to “stop the boats” carrying unauthorized migrants across the English Channel from France to the UK. Irregular migration to the UK has been on the rise, with 52,530 detected entering in the year ending June 2023, marking a 17% increase from the previous year. Approximately 85% of these arrivals occurred via small boats.
