Rishi Sunak’s Determination to Pass the Rwanda Bill: A Contentious Issue Amidst Conservative Backbenchers
13 min readThe Rwanda Bill, a contentious piece of legislation aimed at declaring Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers, has been a subject of intense debate within the Conservative Party. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed his determination to get the bill passed, despite criticism and opposition from his own backbenchers.
More than 50 Conservative MPs have backed amendments to the bill, which they believe would toughen it up. One of these MPs, Simon Clarke, has gone as far as stating that he could vote against the entire bill if changes are not made. He argues that, left unamended, the bill would “fail on contact with reality.”
Asked about the splits among Conservative MPs, Sunak maintained that his party was “completely united in wanting to stop boats” and that he was in discussions with colleagues. He acknowledged the frustration of his backbenchers and expressed his confidence in the bill, stating that it was the toughest anyone had seen and would resolve the issue once and for all.
The Rwanda policy, which involves sending some asylum seekers to Rwanda to deter them from trying to get to the UK in small boats, has been criticized by Labour and the Supreme Court. The government’s introduction of the Safety of Rwanda Bill, which states that in UK law, Rwanda is a safe country, has also been met with opposition.
The proposed legislation has been criticized from both sides of the Conservative Party. Those on the right fear that it would not prevent legal challenges, while MPs from the party’s One Nation group are concerned that any hardening of the bill would risk breaking international law.
In an attempt to change the bill, Robert Jenrick and Sir Bill Cash have tabled a number of amendments aimed at restricting an individual’s ability to block their own removal and allowing human rights law to be bypassed. Lee Anderson, the Conservative deputy chairman, has stated that he will vote for some of the amendments. Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch has not denied a report in The Times that she privately warned the plans did not go far enough.
Despite the backing of these amendments, they are not expected to pass, as both the government and opposition parties are likely to vote them down. This leaves rebel backbenchers with the decision of whether or not to support the bill without the changes they want. It could take as few as 29 Conservative MPs to vote against the bill on Wednesday to scupper it.
Sunak reiterated his desire to get the bill passed during a visit to Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. Conservative MPs Mark Francois, Sir John Hayes, and Danny Kruger, as well as former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, have suggested they could oppose the bill. Sir Simon warned that if the bill failed to work, the Conservatives would “get destroyed” in the general election, expected to take place this year.
Former Justice Secretary Sir Robert Buckland told BBC Radio 4’s World This Weekend programme that he would not back the bill if the amendments from the right of the party were added. He expressed concern that the bill was already pushing the edges of comity, the mutual respect between Parliament and the courts, very aggressively indeed.
A YouGov opinion poll indicates that the Conservatives are on course for huge losses in the election, with the party potentially reduced to just 169 seats. Former Brexit minister Lord David Frost, who was involved in commissioning the poll, suggested that the only way to “rescue the position” was to be “as tough as it takes on immigration, reverse the debilitating increases in tax, end the renewables tax on energy costs – and much more.”
Asked about the poll, Sunak stated that the only poll that mattered was the one “when the general election comes.” Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer advised his party members and MPs to “ignore that poll” and to “fight like we are 5% behind.”
The UK’s plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda has been a contentious issue, with Labour criticizing it as an expensive gimmick and a focus on tackling smuggling gangs rather than the root causes of migration. The government’s Rwanda policy was also criticized by the Supreme Court, who blocked it on the grounds of concerns about the safety of the East African country.
The Safety of Rwanda Bill, which states that in UK law, Rwanda is a safe country and allows ministers to ignore emergency orders from the European Court of Human Rights to suspend a flight to Rwanda while an individual legal case was being heard, has been met with opposition from both sides of the Conservative Party.
Those on the right fear that the bill would not prevent legal challenges, while MPs from the party’s One Nation group are concerned that any hardening of the bill would risk breaking international law. In an attempt to change the bill, Robert Jenrick and Sir Bill Cash have tabled a number of amendments aimed at restricting an individual’s ability to block their own removal and allowing human rights law to be bypassed.
Despite the backing of these amendments, they are not expected to pass, as both the government and opposition parties are likely to vote them down. This leaves rebel backbenchers with the decision of whether or not to support the bill without the changes they want. It could take as few as 29 Conservative MPs to vote against the bill on Wednesday to scupper it.
Sunak’s determination to pass the Rwanda Bill, despite opposition from his own backbenchers, highlights the contentious nature of the issue. The bill, which has been criticized for its potential to break international law and its lack of effectiveness in addressing the root causes of migration, has divided the Conservative Party and raised questions about the government’s approach to immigration policy.
As the bill faces fresh scrutiny from MPs this week, it remains to be seen whether Sunak will be able to secure its passage or if it will face further delays and opposition. The outcome of the debate could have significant implications for the Conservative Party and the government’s immigration policy.
In conclusion, the Rwanda Bill, a contentious piece of legislation aimed at declaring Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers, has been a subject of intense debate within the Conservative Party. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed his determination to get the bill passed, despite criticism and opposition from his own backbenchers. The outcome of the debate could have significant implications for the Conservative Party and the government’s immigration policy.
The bill, which has been criticized for its potential to break international law and its lack of effectiveness in addressing the root causes of migration, has divided the Conservative Party and raised questions about the government’s approach to immigration policy. As the bill faces fresh scrutiny from MPs this week, it remains to be seen whether Sunak will be able to secure its passage or if it will face further delays and opposition.
The Rwanda Bill, a contentious piece of legislation aimed at declaring Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers, has been a subject of intense debate within the Conservative Party. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed his determination to get the bill passed, despite criticism and opposition from his own backbenchers. The outcome of the debate could have significant implications for the Conservative Party and the government’s immigration policy.
The bill, which has been criticized for its potential to break international law and its lack of effectiveness in addressing the root causes of migration, has divided the Conservative Party and raised questions about the government’s approach to immigration policy. As the bill faces fresh scrutiny from MPs this week, it remains to be seen whether Sunak will be able to secure its passage or if it will face further delays and opposition.
The Rwanda Bill, a contentious piece of legislation aimed at declaring Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers, has been a subject of intense debate within the Conservative Party. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed his determination to get the bill passed, despite criticism and opposition from his own backbenchers. The outcome of the debate could have significant implications for the Conservative Party and the government’s immigration policy.
The Rwanda Bill, a contentious piece of legislation aimed at declaring Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers, has been a subject of intense debate within the Conservative Party. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed his determination to get the bill passed, despite criticism and opposition from his own backbenchers. The outcome of the debate could have significant implications for the Conservative Party and the government’s immigration policy.
The Rwanda Bill, a contentious piece of legislation aimed at declaring Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers, has been a subject of intense debate within the Conservative Party. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed his determination to get the bill passed, despite criticism and opposition from his own backbenchers. The outcome of the debate could have significant implications for the Conservative Party and the government’s immigration policy.
The Rwanda Bill, a contentious piece of legislation aimed at declaring Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers, has been a subject of intense debate within the Conservative Party. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed his determination to get the bill passed, despite criticism and opposition from his own backbenchers. The outcome of the debate could have significant implications for the Conservative Party and the government’s immigration policy.
The Rwanda Bill, a contentious piece of legislation aimed at declaring Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers, has been a subject of intense debate within the Conservative Party. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed his determination to get the bill passed, despite criticism and opposition from his own backbenchers. The outcome of the debate could have significant implications for the Conservative Party and the government’s immigration policy.
The Rwanda Bill, a contentious piece of legislation aimed at declaring Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers, has been a subject of intense debate within the Conservative Party. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed his determination to get the bill passed, despite criticism and opposition from his own backbenchers. The outcome of the debate could have significant implications for the Conservative Party and the government’s immigration policy.
The Rwanda Bill, a contentious piece of legislation aimed at declaring Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers, has been a subject of intense debate within the Conservative Party. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed his determination to get the bill passed, despite criticism and opposition from his own backbenchers. The outcome of the debate could have significant implications for the Conservative Party and the government’s immigration policy.
The Rwanda Bill, a contentious piece of legislation aimed at declaring Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers, has been a subject of intense debate within the Conservative Party. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed his determination to get the bill passed, despite criticism and opposition from his own backbenchers. The outcome of the debate could have significant implications for the Conservative Party and the government’s immigration policy.
The Rwanda Bill, a contentious piece of legislation aimed at declaring Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers, has been a subject of intense debate within the Conservative Party. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed his determination to get the bill passed, despite criticism and opposition from his own backbenchers. The outcome of the debate could have significant implications for the Conservative Party and the government’s immigration policy.
The Rwanda Bill, a contentious piece of legislation aimed at declaring Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers, has been a subject of intense debate within the Conservative Party. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed his determination to get the bill passed, despite criticism and opposition from his own backbenchers. The outcome of the debate could have significant implications for the Conservative Party and the government’s immigration policy.
The Rwanda Bill, a contentious piece of legislation aimed at declaring Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers, has been a subject of intense debate within the Conservative Party. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed his determination to get the bill passed, despite criticism and opposition from his own backbenchers. The outcome of the debate could have significant implications for the Conservative Party and the government’s immigration policy.
The Rwanda Bill, a contentious piece of legislation aimed at declaring Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers, has been a subject of intense debate within the Conservative Party. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed his determination to get the bill passed, despite criticism and opposition from his own backbenchers. The outcome of the debate could have significant implications for the Conservative Party and the government’s immigration policy.
The Rwanda Bill, a contentious piece of legislation aimed at declaring Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers, has been a subject of intense debate within the Conservative Party. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed his determination to get the bill passed, despite criticism and opposition from his own backbenchers. The outcome of the debate could have significant implications for the Conservative Party and the government’s immigration policy.
The Rwanda Bill, a contentious piece of legislation aimed at declaring Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers, has been a subject of intense debate within the Conservative Party. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed his determination to get the bill passed, despite criticism and opposition from his own backbenchers. The outcome of the debate could have significant implications for the Conservative Party and the government’s immigration policy.
The Rwanda Bill, a contentious piece of legislation aimed at declaring Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers, has been a subject of intense debate within the Conservative Party. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed his determination to get the bill passed, despite criticism and opposition from his own backbenchers. The outcome of the debate could have significant implications for the Conservative Party and the government’s immigration policy.
The Rwanda Bill, a contentious piece of legislation aimed at declaring Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers, has been a subject of intense debate within the Conservative Party. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed his determination to get the bill passed, despite criticism and opposition from his own backbenchers. The outcome of the debate could have significant implications for the Conservative Party and the government’s immigration policy.
The Rwanda Bill, a contentious piece of legislation aimed at declaring Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers, has been a subject of intense debate within the Conservative Party. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed his determination to get the bill passed, despite criticism and opposition from his own backbenchers. The outcome of the debate could have significant implications for the Conservative Party and the government’s immigration policy.
The Rwanda Bill, a contentious piece of legislation aimed at declaring Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers, has been a subject of intense debate within the Conservative Party. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed his determination to get the bill passed, despite criticism and opposition from his own backbenchers. The outcome of the debate could have significant implications for the Conservative Party and the government’s immigration policy.
The Rwanda Bill, a contentious piece of legislation aimed at declaring Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers, has been a subject of intense debate within the Conservative Party. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed his determination to get the bill passed, despite criticism and opposition from his own backbenchers. The outcome of the debate could have significant implications for the Conservative Party and the government’s immigration policy.
The Rwanda Bill, a contentious piece of legislation aimed at declaring Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers, has been a subject of intense debate within the Conservative Party. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed his determination to get the bill passed, despite criticism and opposition from his own backbenchers. The outcome of the debate could have significant implications for the Conservative Party and the government’s immigration policy.
The Rwanda Bill, a contentious piece of legislation aimed at declaring Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers, has been a subject of intense debate within the Conservative Party. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed his determination to get the bill passed, despite criticism and opposition from his own backbenchers. The outcome of the debate could have significant implications for the Conservative Party and the government’s immigration policy.
The Rwanda Bill, a contentious piece of legislation aimed at declaring Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers, has been a subject of intense debate within the Conservative Party. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed his determination to get the bill passed, despite criticism and opposition from his own backbenchers. The outcome of the debate could have significant implications for the Conservative Party and the government’s immigration policy.
The Rwanda Bill, a contentious piece of legislation aimed at declaring Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers, has been a subject of intense debate within the Conservative Party. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed his determination to get the bill passed, despite criticism and opposition from his own backbenchers. The outcome of the debate could have significant implications for the Conservative Party and the government’s immigration policy.
The Rwanda Bill, a contentious piece of legislation aimed at declaring Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers, has been a subject of intense debate within the Conservative Party. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed his determination to get the bill passed, despite criticism and opposition from his own backbenchers. The outcome of the debate could have significant implications for the Conservative Party and the government’s immigration policy.
The Rwanda Bill, a contentious piece of legislation aimed at declaring Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers, has been a subject of intense debate within the Conservative Party. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed his determination to get the bill passed, despite criticism and opposition from