Approximately one hundred lords were scheduled to address during the debate on the government’s Illegal Migration Bill. An attempt by the Liberal Democrats to completely obstruct the legislation was improbable to succeed, as few individuals supported it.
Archbishop of Canterbury has blasted the government’s Illegal Migration Bill, stating that it has “too many problems for one speech.”
Archbishop Justin Welby spoke as the House of Lords began debating the legislation that the government intends to use to prevent non-traditional migrants from claiming asylum in the United Kingdom.
The Archbishop added that the strategy will not “temporarily stop the boats” because it does not account global factors.
“It is isolationist, morally unacceptable, and politically infeasible to allow the poorest countries to handle the crisis on their while slashing our international aid,” he continued.
The law also limits the ECHR’s ability to stop asylum seekers’ deportation.
Not only was the archbishop not the only member of the House of Lords to oppose the measure, but Labour and Liberal Democrat peers also voiced strong opposition.
Former Theresa May, who was present for the debate, was cited by Labour as saying that the Illegal Migration Bill will “drive a coach and horses through the Modern Slavery Act.”
Lord Howard and Lord Forsyth, former Conservative leaders and cabinet ministers, endorsed the government’s proposal.
Close to one hundred colleagues were scheduled to speak, with approximately six minutes per person allotted.
Today, Home Secretary Suella Braverman urged the Lords to “support the bill so that we can begin stopping the boats.”
The government’s attitude towards international conventions and agreements, including the 1951 Refugee Convention, was criticized.
Archbishop Welby stated, “The existing global conventions and agreements must be revised in light of the current crises we face.”
“Although inadequate, these conventions provide a foundation on which to construct a globally shared understanding of the protection that must be provided to refugees.
They are not obstacles to be circumvented by any legislative means necessary.
The top Anglican clergyman has criticised the government’s migration policies before.
Last December, the archbishop addressed the House of Lords, stating that “control has become cruelty” in the migration system and that the nation requires a system that “balances effective, accurate, and clear control with compassion and dignity, a system based on our history and proper moral responsibilities.”
A year ago, Archbishop Welby called the Rwanda deportation plan “contrary to the nature of God.”
In his speech today, he called for intervention, but not in its current guise.
“A law is required to reform migration. A bill is required to halt the boats. We need legislation to eradicate the vile tribe of traffickers. “The tragedy is that absent significant amendments, this is not that bill,” he said.
The Liberal Democrats are attempting to obstruct the bill in the Lords today, but Labour and the archbishop have stated that they will not support the motion because they believe it will result in the government passing the bill without the Lords having the opportunity to amend it.
Some amendments will be introduced today, but the crucial votes are not anticipated until later this summer.
The Illegal Migration Bill aims to make sending individuals to Rwanda easier and legal challenges less likely to succeed.
Migrants arriving in the UK would be held at unused military locations and ships until expulsion.
One such vessel, the Bibby Stockholm barge, has just arrived in the United Kingdom for refurbishment. After which it will travel to Portland on the Dorset coast to house migrants.
Jim Draper, the leader of the Portland town council, told that the government “had sort of promised some money” to the authority, but that it had not yet been received.
Mr. Draper stated that his “small council on the south coast can’t stand up to the Home Office.” Even though their own Tory MP, Richard Drax, has threatened legal action.
