Ministers' Plans Shredded in Courts
The recent defeat in the courts for the UK government's plan to send illegal migrants to Rwanda has been described as an "utter thumping" and a blow to Prime Minister Boris Johnson's administration. This comes after a similar setback in 2019 when Johnson's attempt to suspend Parliament was overturned by the courts.
Calls for "Plan B" as Despair Grows in Tory Party
The government's defeat in court has led to growing despair within the Tory party. Suella Braverman, who recently resigned as Attorney General, had been warning of this outcome for months. Now, critics of Chancellor Rishi Sunak within the party are calling for him to reveal a "Plan B" to address the situation.
"Existential" Threat to Tory Party
Some members of the Tory party, particularly those on the right, view the defeat as an existential threat to the party. They argue that without significant measures, such as reforming the Human Rights Act, the government will be unable to effectively address illegal migration. There are even suggestions of a confidence vote in Sunak's leadership.
Emergency Legislation and Offshore Processing
As pressure mounts, calls for emergency legislation to block the authority of the Strasbourg Human Rights Court have intensified. Additionally, the new Home Secretary, James Cleverly, has expressed support for the concept of offshore processing of migrants. However, the question remains as to which country would be willing to participate in such a plan.
The Challenge of Finding a Backup Country
Rwanda was the only country that had agreed to the government's plan and had been promised financial compensation. With Rwanda now out of the picture, it is unclear where the government will find an alternative country to cooperate with their migration strategy. Without a backup plan, the effectiveness of the government's "Plan B" is in doubt.
