By The Smartencyclopedia Staff & Agencies
Amid a deepening crisis surrounding his Rwanda policy, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called for an emergency press conference to address the mounting challenges and criticisms. The controversy escalated with a warning from Suella Braverman, the former home secretary, who asserted that the policy was destined for failure.
The turmoil gained momentum following the resignation of Robert Jenrick, the immigration minister, in response to Sunak’s new emergency legislation aimed at reviving the Rwanda policy. The Supreme Court had previously deemed the policy unlawful, leading to a need for urgent intervention.
To navigate the crisis, Sunak executed a mini-reshuffle, appointing Michael Tomlinson as illegal migration minister and Tom Pursglove as legal migration minister, effectively splitting Jenrick’s previous role. The decision, however, has not assuaged hardliners within the Conservative Party, reflecting a growing discontent.
The emergency legislation, which declares Rwanda a safe country, has sparked intense debate within the party. While Sunak stopped short of overriding the European Convention on Human Rights, his actions have drawn criticism from some quarters, further souring the mood among Conservatives.
The contentious legislation grants powers to disregard sections of the domestic Human Rights Act. This move, however, falls short of the expectations of hardline critics like Suella Braverman, who has warned that the proposed measures will not deter small boat crossings.
In a series of public statements, Braverman emphasized the challenges of asylum law and asserted, “the sorry truth is that it won’t work, and it will not stop the boats.” She criticized the legislation, suggesting that even with tweaks, legal claims could impede the system for years.
As the political tension escalates, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is scheduled to hold a Downing Street press conference at 11 am, where he is anticipated to defend the legislation and respond to the growing dissent within his party.
Suella Braverman, despite her vocal criticism, stated that she wants the Prime Minister to succeed but emphasized the need for a more decisive approach. She argued that half measures would not suffice and urged a complete exclusion of international law, including the Refugee Convention.
The resignation of Robert Jenrick, a close ally of Sunak, underscores the deepening divisions within the Conservative Party. The draft Bill, presented as a solution to the Rwanda asylum policy, is set to face scrutiny in Parliament, with the outcome uncertain amid a mounting rebellion from the party’s right-wing faction.
The situation poses a significant challenge to Sunak’s leadership, and the dissent within the party raises questions about the Prime Minister’s ability to navigate the turbulent political landscape and lead the Conservatives into the next election. As the emergency press conference unfolds, the future trajectory of the Rwanda policy and its impact on the party’s cohesion remains uncertain.