Title: Conservative MPs Rally Support for Amendments to Controversial Rwanda Bill
Date: [Insert Date]
KP INSIDER – In a surprising turn of events, two deputy chairmen of the Conservative Party, Lee Anderson and Brendan Clarke-Smith, have declared their backing for rebel amendments to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s highly debated Rwanda bill. The bill, which aims to revive the Prime Minister’s plan to relocate asylum seekers to Rwanda, has been ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court, putting the government’s proposal in jeopardy.
The rallying support for amendments comes as over 60 right-wing Tory MPs join forces in calling for changes to the bill, which is set to return to the Commons for further discussion on Tuesday. Even former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced his support for the amendments, highlighting the growing dissent within Conservative ranks.
Miriam Cates, a Conservative MP responsible for tabling 16 of the proposed amendments, warned that she would not hesitate to vote against the bill if Sunak disregards her suggested changes. However, despite the growing support for amendments, it is unlikely they will pass, as both the government and opposition parties are expected to vote them down.
The government’s decision to consider relocating asylum seekers to Rwanda is driven by the aim to discourage individuals from attempting to reach the UK via small boats across the English Channel. However, the policy has been met with strong criticism from the Labour Party, which believes it to be an expensive “gimmick” that sidelines the priority of tackling smuggling gangs.
The Supreme Court’s rejection of the government’s Rwanda policy mainly revolved around concerns regarding the safety of the country. In response, the government introduced the Safety of Rwanda Bill, seeking to designate Rwanda as a safe country in UK law. However, criticism from both sides of the Conservative Party has plagued the bill’s progress.
On one hand, right-leaning MPs fear that the proposed legislation would not effectively prevent legal challenges, while One Nation MPs are concerned about the possibility of breaching international law. Some Conservative MPs, including Sir Simon Clarke, Mark Francois, Sir John Hayes, and Suella Braverman, have even hinted at opposing the entire bill unless changes are made.
Moreover, a recent YouGov poll has indicated potential losses for the Conservative Party in the upcoming general election, adding pressure to address the concerns surrounding the Rwanda bill. Additionally, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has recently declared that the plan to relocate asylum seekers to Rwanda is not in line with international refugee law, further highlighting the controversial nature of the bill.
As the Rwanda bill faces further scrutiny in Parliament, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the growing dissent within its own ranks and address the concerns raised by opposition parties and international bodies alike. The fate of the bill hangs in the balance, and its proposed amendments may determine the future of asylum seeker policies in the UK.
“Zombie enthusiast. Subtly charming travel practitioner. Webaholic. Internet expert.”