The House of Lords has once again rejected the government’s plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, in a tense stand-off over Rishi Sunak’s asylum plan. Peers voted by 245 votes to 208, a majority of 37, insisting on a requirement that Rwanda cannot be treated as safe until promised protections are in place.
This fresh setback means that the wrangling between the Lords and MPs will continue, as MPs rejected amendments to the government’s flagship Rwanda Bill. The amendments included one to exempt asylum-seekers who aided UK troops overseas, such as Afghan special forces, from deportation to Rwanda.
Despite reports that the government was considering concessions, including exemptions for Afghans who assisted British forces, Downing Street ruled out making any such concessions. This decision has led to criticism from opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer, who accused Rishi Sunak and Tory peer Lord Ashcroft of “smearing a working class woman”, referring to his deputy, Angela Rayner.
In another development, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps insisted that there are already schemes in place to help Afghan heroes come to the UK, justifying the government’s refusal to accept an amendment to the Rwanda bill. Shapps stated that the government will do “whatever we need to do” to fly asylum seekers to Rwanda, including potentially using RAF aircraft for deportation flights.
The ongoing stand-off between the House of Lords and the government over the Rwanda plan highlights the deep divisions and tensions surrounding the issue of asylum and immigration in the UK. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.