PM facing further rebellions over Rwanda – as minister promises to ‘listen’ to angry Tories
The prime minister could be facing further rebellions from his backbenchers today as MPs return to the Commons to carry on debating the Rwanda bill.
The government insists the proposed legislation – aimed at deterring asylum seekers from crossing the Channel in small boats – is the toughest immigration law in history and will revive the scheme after the UK’s Supreme Court ruled it unlawful late last year.
But some Conservative MPs on the right of the party claim it does not go far enough, pushing for harder measures to limit appeals from asylum seekers and to block any rulings from international courts.
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‘Unity of purpose’ in Tory party, claims minister
Last night, two deputy chairmen of the Tory party and one ministerial aide quit their posts in order to back rebel amendments put forward by veteran MP Sir Bill Cash and former immigration minister Robert Jenrick.
While the amendments were rejected overall by MPs, 60 Conservatives voted in defiance of the government – with further backbench proposals being tabled today.
An overall vote on the bill is also scheduled for this evening, and if 28 Conservatives vote against it, the legislation could fall.
Rishi Sunak will also have to face scrutiny on the bill’s divisiveness at Prime Minister’s Questions later.
But illegal immigration minister Michael Tomlinson insisted all the MPs in his party had a “unity of purpose” and were “determined” for the Rwanda bill to work.
He told Sky News he would be “listening respectfully to colleagues” and he “completely understands” their concerns, adding: “If you listened and heard and saw what [the rebels] said, they are determined that this policy works.
“They support the prime minister in his aim to stop the boats. He is the one who has the plan to stop the boats.”
The minister continued: “We will see more robust debate in the chamber of the House of Commons this afternoon.
“But I know how my colleagues feel… their concerns are my concerns. And I’m determined that we can get this legislation through, that we can stop the boats, because we have a plan to do that.”
Asked if there would definitely be a vote on the overall bill amid rumours Number 10 could pull it rather than face defeat, Mr Tomlinson focused on procedure – explaining how the parliamentary timetable would allow the vote if the bill remained unamended.
There has also been no hint that Mr Sunak is willing to concede to the rebel demands as of yet, as not only does the government believe it would risk Rwanda pulling out of the scheme, but Conservatives from the more centrist wing of the party have threatened their own rebellion if the law goes too far.