Tory MP Simon Clarke vows to vote against Rishi Sunak’s flagship Rwanda policy
Rishi Sunak has been dealt a major blow as two Tory deputy chairmen have vowed to join a mounting rebellion over his flagship Rwanda plan ahead of a crunch vote on the policy.
The Prime Minister is staging a last-ditch bid to win over more than 60 right-wing Conservative MPs who are threatening to defeat his immigration legislation, which returns to the House of Commons on Tuesday for six hours of debate and voting.
Tory deputy chairmen Lee Anderson and Brendan Clarke-Smith are poised to back rebel amendments to the bill, which seek to disapply international law and curtail asylum seekers’ rights to appeal against flights to Kigali.
But any attempt by Mr Sunak to placate them would be opposed by more moderate Tories, who are keen to protect the legislation against breaches of international law.
It comes as the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has concluded that the UK government’s new Rwanda bill is not compatible with international law following a legal assessment.
The UNHCR said the modified Rwanda scheme “does not meet the required standards relating to the legality and appropriateness of the transfer of asylum seekers”.
Centrist Tories warn caving to right wing’s demands would ‘cause problems’ for them
Centrist Tories have warned that any caving to the right wing’s demands would “cause problems” for them.
Former justice secretary Sir Robert Buckland said: “The Government would be best advised not to accept any of the amendments from my colleagues on the right, because the Bill then will cause a problem for us here.”
One Nation chairman Damian Green said: “We want the Government to carry it through unamended.”
Sir Robert Buckland is among the centrist Tories warning that any caving to the right wing’s demands would ‘cause problems’ for them
(PA Archive)
Tara Cobham16 January 2024 08:48
Work and Pensions Secretary appears to play down concerns over rebellion
Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride appeared to play down concerns about a major rebellion over the Rwanda Bill.
It comes after senior Conservatives Lee Anderson and Brendan Clarke-Smith said they would back right-wing amendments designed to toughen up the legislation.
The Cabinet minister told LBC: “Let’s see. Bills go through various processes. There are often amendments.
“We all know that there are very few Bills – very, very few Bills – that go through straight and clean and nobody tries to amend them in any way at all.
“What matters is that the Bill progresses in a form that leaves it effective at the end and I’m confident we’re going to do that.”
Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson has vowed to defy Rishi Sunak over his Rwanda Bill
(PA Wire)
Tara Cobham16 January 2024 08:21
Work and pensions secretary does not rule out prosecutions in Horizon scandal
Mel Stride has said prosecutions in the Horizon scandal may be the “right way to go”, but she cautioned “it’s important that we wait until we see the results from that independent inquiry first”.
Mr Stride told Sky News it “may be” that there are criminal matters but that it’s important there is a “thorough, independent process” to get the right judgments.
Zoe Grunewald, Political Correspondent16 January 2024 07:48
Work and Pensions Secretary refuses to be drawn on rebel MPs keeping party posts
Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride has refused to be drawn on whether Lee Anderson and Brendan Clarke-Smith could keep their party posts if the MPs back the rebel amendments to the Rwanda Bill.
“These aren’t decisions for me,” he told Times Radio.
He said that he “understands why people feel very strongly about this”.
Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride (pictured) has refused to be drawn on whether Lee Anderson and Brendan Clarke-Smith could keep their party posts if the MPs back the rebel amendments to the Rwanda Bill
(AFP via Getty Images)
Tara Cobham16 January 2024 07:28
Tory MP Simon Clarke vows to vote against Rishi Sunak’s flagship Rwanda policy
Tory MP Simon Clarke vows to vote against Rishi Sunak’s flagship Rwanda policy
Joe Middleton16 January 2024 06:30
Tory deputy chair Lee Anderson joins right-wing Rwanda bill rebellion
The Conservative party’s deputy chairman Lee Anderson has rocked Rishi Sunak’s authority by backing rebel MPs defying the prime minister over his Rwanda bill.
Joe Middleton16 January 2024 05:30
Are the Tories really facing their worst general election result since 1997?
Lowest share of the vote since the 19th century and a wipeout of seats in line with New Labour’s rise… is this the beginning of the end of the Conservatives as Britain’s dominant political party, asks Sean O’Grady
Joe Middleton16 January 2024 04:30
If Tory plotters thought they’d found a way to get rid of Sunak, it’s about to backfire
An ‘election wipeout’ poll commissioned by the PM’s enemies is intended to destabilise him as he faces a revolt over the Rwanda bill, writes John Rentoul – but it won’t work.
Joe Middleton16 January 2024 03:30
MP calls for DNA tests in parliament: ‘Migration shouldn’t be a dirty word’
MP calls for DNA tests in parliament: ‘Migration shouldn’t be a dirty word’
Joe Middleton16 January 2024 01:30
Voters turn on ‘spineless’ Sunak as dire poll results and Rwanda row spark fresh leadership crisis
Rishi Sunak is facing a landslide general election defeat because he is seen as “spineless and false” and makes people “cringe”, according to a top pollster.
Joe Middleton16 January 2024 00:30
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
