Tory Rebels Threaten to "Kill the Rwanda Bill"
Rishi Sunak will face tough questions today regarding his plans to handle Tory rebels who are prepared to "kill the Rwanda Bill" when it returns to the Commons in January. More than two dozen right-wing MPs refused to back the emergency deportation legislation, abstaining from the vote and pushing the battle to toughen it up into the New Year.
Defiance from the Home Secretary
James Cleverly has dismissed claims that many Tories don't want the Rwanda Bill to succeed, calling it "absolutely wrong." He highlighted the Conservative Party's unity in wanting to get the bill right and stop illegal immigration. Cleverly also criticized the Labour Party's position of trying to "wreck it."
"Kill the Bill" Not the Best Approach
While acknowledging the concerns of right-wing rebels, Cleverly stated that "killing the bill" would not be the best way to address those concerns. He emphasized the need for good faith amendments to strengthen the legislation, rather than abandoning it altogether.
Rebels Put Government on Notice
A Tory rebel on the right of the party warned that without amendments, the bill would be "killed next month." This places the responsibility on the government to decide its next steps.
The Alliance of Right-Wing Rebels
The right-wing rebels opposing the bill are made up of five different Tory groups, collectively known as the "Five Families." Leader Mark Francois cited numerous omissions in the legislation as the reason for their collective decision not to support it.
Tensions and Lobbying Efforts
The bill faced uncertainty throughout the day, with tensions running high in Downing Street. Climate change minister Graham Stuart was flown back from the Cop28 summit in Dubai specifically to participate in the vote. Rebels expressed anger at the government's handling of their concerns, and chief whip Simon Hart faced criticism for his engagement with them. Prime Minister Boris Johnson personally led a day of intense lobbying, including a breakfast meeting with hardliners and promises to "tighten up" the bill in the New Year.
PM's Appeal to "Stop the Boats"
In a last-ditch effort to secure support for the bill, Boris Johnson appealed to MPs, stating, "To stop the boats, we need to back this bill."
