After five months of private negotiations in Westminster, Rishi Sunak’s landmark Rwanda bill has the potential of becoming a law.
It’s a vital part of the government’s plans to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda as it declares that nation to be safe.
The opposition parties have been harshly critical of the plan, but late on Monday, the Lords dropped their objections following many discussions.
Mr. Sunak has stated that, despite missing the initial spring the due date, flights to Rwanda will begin operating in between ten and twelve weeks.
However, legal proceedings might potentially postpone departures or cause challenges with procuring the aircraft that asylum seekers would use to travel.
“Landmark moment in our plan to stop the boats” was how Home Secretary James Cleverly described the bill’s passage.
He said in a social media video: “I pledged to do what was required to clear the way for the maiden flight.We have taken that action.
“Now we’re working day in and day out to get flights off the ground.”
However, the Rwanda idea has been referred to as a “extortionately expensive gimmick” by Yvette Cooper, the deputy home secretary.
Since the UK Supreme Court unanimously ruled in November 2023 that the Rwanda programme was illegal, the government’s plans have been in danger.
The PM remarks on the Rwanda Bill
The prime minister Sunak has earlier on Monday stated that 500 staff members were prepared to escort migrants “all the way to Kigali” and that flights were scheduled to depart as soon as the legislation was passed with “No Ifs and Buts”.
“Arrangements are made. “And these flights will continue, no matter what,” he stated, stating that his goal was to establish “a regular rhythm of several flights per month… as that’s the only way to develop a systematic deterrent and halt the boats.”
Mr. Sunak made a promise to keep the police working through the night if it was necessary in order clear his bill and begin the aircraft.Peers sent the bill back to MPs five times during an extended argument between the Commons and the House of Lords that lasted for several hours.
Yet, peers decided not to press their opposition to it any further, ending the exhausting constitutional back-and-forth, with the last debate ending just after midnight.
This indicates that in spite of substantial opposition from opposing factions and peers from across the Lords, the administration was able to have its way.
The bill’s approval marked a political victory for Rishi Sunak after many defeats.
Yet, his vow to halt small boats from crossing the canal now depends on its working as the deterrent he claimed it would. As the next election draws near, the prime minister has little opportunity to show the effectiveness of his plan.
