UK PM Rishi Sunak says open to tweaking Rwanda bill

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Thusday said that he was open to toughening up his controversial plan to send migrants to Rwanda, a move that has caused division within his ruling Conservative party. This plan comes in response to a recent unanimous Supreme Court ruling declaring the deportation of asylum seekers to Rwanda as illegal under international law. Sunak, who has been in office for just over a year, has made cutting both regular and irregular migration a cornerstone of his political agenda, anticipating it to be a crucial battleground in the upcoming general election. Earlier this week, Sunak successfully navigated a narrow parliamentary vote on the “Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill,” overcoming opposition from within his party. However, as the new year approaches, he may need to make concessions to appease the demands of both Tory right-wingers seeking a tougher stance on the bill and party moderates who believe the legislation is already stringent enough. “I’ve been very consistently clear, as have all ministers. If there are ways that the legislation can be improved, to be made even more effective – with a respectable legal argument and maintaining the participation of the Rwandans in the scheme – of course we would be open to that. Who wouldn’t be?” Sunak told reporters. The emergency bill, published just last week, is Sunak’s answer to the Supreme Court decision that the flagship policy was unlawful. It would compel judges to treat Rwanda as a safe third country and proposes giving UK ministers powers to disregard sections of international and British human rights legislation. The bill has triggered deep factional Tory infighting not seen since wrangling over what form Brexit should take. The feuding threatens to weaken Sunak’s authority going into a general election expected next year, which the opposition Labour Party is currently expected to win. “We are confident this is a very strong piece of legislation. I think most legal experts, former judges have all said that the legislation is incredibly strong, it is effective, it will work,” Sunak added. “The key now is to get it on the statute books so we can get the scheme up and running,” Sunak said. The plan – which would see would-be refugees who arrive in the UK via unauthorised routes deported to the African country – is a key part of Sunak’s pledge to “stop the boats”. Almost 30,000 asylum seekers have crossed the English Channel from northern France on rudimentary vessels this year. With inputs from AFP