Suella Braverman cautioned the Conservative Party about facing "electoral oblivion" should the government’s Rwanda legislation falter. The former Home Secretary stressed the criticality of
ensuring the bill's efficacy in thwarting illegal migration into the UK.
The Supreme Court's recent ruling against the government's plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda marked a setback. Responding to this, Braverman highlighted the urgency of legislative action to bypass legal challenges and enable flights to Rwanda, emphasizing the necessity of swift implementation.
Home Secretary James Cleverly's signing of a new treaty with Rwanda underscores the government's efforts to fortify the policy announced by Boris Johnson. Despite persistent delays due to legal hurdles, the initiative seeks to deter small boat crossings across the Channel.
Braverman, following her dismissal from the cabinet, advocated for prompt action, asserting that failure to deliver on the bill could result in dire electoral consequences for the Tories. She outlined crucial criteria the bill must meet, including addressing the Supreme Court's concerns about Rwanda's safety and impeding legal challenges.
While supporting the idea of departing from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), Braverman proposed alternatives within the UK's legal framework. Her suggestions included overriding the Human Rights Act, the ECHR, and other international laws, underlining the urgency by proposing parliamentary sessions even during the Christmas period for the bill's passage.
However, divisions within the Conservative Party surfaced over Braverman's proposals. Some advocated for Rwanda to be declared a safe country instead of altering human rights laws. The One Nation Caucus urged caution, highlighting the significance of preserving human rights conventions, while the ERG emphasized parliamentary sovereignty.
The government's new treaty with Rwanda aims to address concerns about the safety of deported individuals, ensuring they are not sent elsewhere but to the UK. Braverman, critical of the government's handling of migration, previously accused Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of betraying his pledge to halt illegal migration. Yet, in her Commons statement, she expressed support for Sunak's efforts, praising the stricter visa regulations announced recently as a step in addressing public concerns over legal migration.
Braverman concluded by asserting that political courage and a concerted effort to address the British people's concerns would restore trust, extending her support to the Prime Minister in leading this endeavor. Photo by UK Government, Wikimedia commons.