United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is gearing up for a renewed legislative challenge as the House of Commons reconvene post-Easter recess.
At the heart of the debate is Sunak’s pivotal bill aimed at rescuing the government’s faltering Rwanda deportation plan. This legislation is crucial for the Prime Minister, as it represents a significant piece of his immigration policy.
The bill, which has been a subject of intense political debate, proposes the deportation of certain asylum seekers to Rwanda, a policy that has been met with both support and opposition within the UK.
The policy was initially introduced by Sunak’s predecessor, Boris Johnson, and has since faced legal and operational hurdles, including a Supreme Court ruling that deemed the scheme unlawful.
Despite these setbacks, the government remains committed to the plan, with a minister asserting that flights to Kigali could commence “within weeks.”
This statement comes amid a surge in Channel crossings, with over 500 migrants arriving in the UK on a single day, marking the busiest day of the year thus far.
The legislative battle intensifies as the House of Lords has proposed amendments to the Safety of Rwanda Bill, seeking additional legal protections and adherence to domestic and international law.
The government, however, is determined to overturn these changes, with Health Secretary Victoria Atkins indicating readiness to implement the plan once the bill is enacted.
The controversy extends beyond the UK’s borders, as reports surface of Britain’s negotiations with other nations, including Costa Rica, Armenia, Ivory Coast, and Botswana, to establish similar agreements. These efforts come at a significant financial commitment, with the scheme estimated to cost at least 290 million Pounds.
As the parliamentary process unfolds, the Prime Minister also faces another legislative test with a vote on a landmark smoking policy, which, if passed, would ban the sale of tobacco to anyone who turns 15 this year or younger. This policy has garnered support from the Labour party but faces criticism from some Conservative MPs.
