Rishi Sunak braced for collision with right-wing Tories as Rwanda bill returns to Commons
The prime minister is looking to avoid another rebellion over his flagship policy of sending asylum seekers to the African country as two days of debate begins in parliament.
Tuesday 16 January 2024 13:34, UK
Rishi Sunak is gearing up for a potential rebellion among his backbenchers as his controversial Rwanda bill returned to the Commons.
The prime minister is facing a dilemma over the question of whether to toughen up the bill to appease those on the right of his party or stick to his guns.
If he does go further, however, he risks losing the support of the more centrist wing of the Tories, who already feel the bill tests the boundaries of international law.
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Tory deputies expected to back tougher Rwanda plan
Last night, two deputy chairs on the right of the party, Lee Anderson and Brendan Clarke-Smith, confirmed they would back the rebel amendments, leaving questions over whether they can remain in their jobs.
And just hours before the debate started, former prime minister Boris Johnson urged MPs to back the changes too, posting on X: "Governments around the world are now trying to imitate the UK Rwanda policy for tackling illegal people trafficking.
"This bill must be as legally robust as possible - and the right course is to adopt the amendments."
Sky News's political editor Beth Rigby understands the government does not plan to accept any amendments.
Instead, shortly before the debate began, Justice Secretary Alex Chalk appealed to rebels with additional physical support for the bill, confirming 25 hearing rooms had been prepared and over 100 additional staff had been recruited to help with deportation tribunals.
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Tap here for moreAsked by Sky News's Kay Burley whether Mr Anderson and Mr Clarke-Smith should be sacked for going against the prime minister, Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said "those are matters for others".
But he insisted the Tories were "absolutely united" in the need to put a deterrent in place to stop small boat crossings, adding: "What we don't want to see is more of those heart-breaking situations we have had where people are dying in the dark in the Channel."
What is the latest Rwanda plan?
The Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill is aimed at reviving Mr Sunak's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda if they attempt to come to the UK via small boat crossings in the Channel.
The plan, which forms part of his strategy to "stop the boats", was dealt a blow last year when the Supreme Court ruled the policy unlawful on the grounds that there was a risk genuine refugees sent to Rwanda could be returned to their home country, where they would face "ill-treatment".
In light of the Supreme Court's judgment, Mr Sunak was forced to amend the bill to address its concerns.
The Safety of Rwanda Bill is designed to enable parliament to confirm Rwanda is a "safe country".
But controversially, the legislation gives ministers the powers to disregard sections of the Human Rights Act, but does not go as far as allowing them to dismiss the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) entirely.
The UN's refugee agency said on Monday that the bill was "not compatible" with the UK's international obligations.
But the criticism was dismissed by Downing Street, with Mr Sunak's spokesman saying the law was "both legal and responsible".
What is happening from Tuesday?
The bill has now begun its committee stage, where a detailed examination of the law is carried out.
There will be debates and votes on Tuesday and into Wednesday. On Wednesday evening, there will be the third reading of the bill, which is the final chance for the Commons to debate the bill.
MPs will then vote on whether or not to approve the contents of the bill, in a crunch moment for Mr Sunak.
Read more:
Rebel Tories not expecting to secure major changes
Tory MP appeals for unity ahead of bill's return
Why is Sunak facing a rebellion?
The right-wing rebels want the prime minister to go further in distancing the UK from human rights laws that might be used to stop flights taking off to the African country.
Robert Jenrick, who resigned as immigration minister in protest at the bill and has tabled a number of amendments, wants changes including a clause to allow ministers to ignore so-called "pyjama injunctions" issued by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) - last-minute orders from judges that could stop planes from taking off.
He also wants migrants to be blocked from bringing individual claims to suspend flights "in all but a limited set of circumstances", and a broader block on claims that could be made under international treaties and the European Convention on Human Rights.
Speaking to Sky News' Beth Rigby in the hours before the debate began, the ex-minister said he was "prepared" to vote against the bill at third reading, if ministers did not adopt his more "robust" position.
The amendments are designed to close off the vast majority of routes to legal challenges by migrants while leaving a few exceptions, such as when a migrant is medically unfit to fly (including pregnancy), or when they are under 18.
They are understood to be supported by around 56 Tory MPs, including the recently sacked home secretary Suella Braverman, former cabinet minister Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg and leaders of the New Conservatives Danny Kruger and Miriam Cates.
In an ominous sign for Mr Sunak - along with the threats from his deputies - The Times also reported that Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch had privately warned the prime minister's aides that the bill did not go far enough and that it needed to be tightened by stopping migrants from lodging individual appeals against their removal except in only the most exceptional circumstances.
However, if Mr Sunak does accede to the rebels' demands, he risks losing the support of the more centrist One Nation group, who have warned him against "rewriting" international obligations in the name of "self-interest".
The prime minister has also previously argued that moving a further "inch" on the bill would risk the Rwandan government pulling out.
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What happened before Christmas?
The prime minister was braced for a Commons showdown when the Rwanda bill had its first test in the Commons - known as second reading - in mid-December.
But despite much fanfare and threats from right-wing Tories, Mr Sunak avoided a damaging rebellion and the legislation passed by 313 votes to 270 - a majority of 43.
Downing Street is hopeful that this outcome will be replicated once again - and that if any MPs do vote against the legislation, the numbers will be small.