Rishi Sunak’s Plan to Send Asylum Seekers to Rwanda Moves Forward After MPs Vote to Reject Amendments
In a significant development on Monday night, Members of Parliament voted overwhelmingly to reject a series of amendments made by the House of Lords to Rishi Sunak’s plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. This move gives a much-needed boost to the beleaguered prime minister, who has faced challenges in recent weeks.
The safety of Rwanda (asylum and immigration) bill, which aims to address objections raised by the supreme court, will now return to the Lords for further consideration. Peers will have to decide whether to reinsert their amendments or allow the bill to proceed as originally passed by the Commons in January.
Before the votes on Monday, Sunak reaffirmed his commitment to the timeline he had set out, stating that he aims to have a flight off to Rwanda in the spring. The rejection of the amendments comes as a relief for the prime minister, who has been facing speculation about potential leadership challenges.
Sunak has urged his party to support his leadership, promising that 2024 will be the year Britain bounces back. He is hopeful that the implementation of his Rwanda plan, along with positive economic indicators, will help improve the Conservative party’s poll ratings.
However, the success of the asylum plan hinges on reaching an agreement on the bill in the coming weeks. This will give ministers the power to proceed with the plan despite any potential legal challenges.
Among the amendments proposed by peers were measures to ensure compliance with domestic and international law, as well as safeguards for asylum seekers. Despite opposition from Labour, the Scottish National Party, and the Liberal Democrats, the majority of Tory MPs voted against all 10 amendments.
Minister for illegal migration, Michael Tomlinson, emphasized the importance of the bill in protecting borders and preventing dangerous crossings. He reassured that the government takes its international obligations seriously and that the bill does not undermine the rule of law.
Officials believe that even if the Lords introduce more amendments, the spring deadline for the Rwanda plan can still be met. Downing Street confirmed that the timeline for the plan remains unchanged, regardless of when the bill is passed.
Overall, the rejection of the amendments signals progress for Sunak’s asylum plan, but the final outcome will depend on further discussions in the coming weeks.