- Sunak doubted Rwanda plan
- Reduced scope intentions
- Internal dissent and concerns
Prepared in March 2022, just before the initial announcement of the Rwanda plan, the Number 10 papers additionally indicate that the prime minister intended to reduce the scope of the initiatives.
While he was chancellor, Rishi Sunak doubted the government’s Rwanda asylum program would end small boat crossings.
Prepared in March 2022, just before the initial announcement of the Rwanda plan, the Number 10 papers additionally indicate that the prime minister intended to reduce the scope of the initiatives.
In an additional indication of discontent within the Conservative party, former immigration minister Robert Jenrick threatened to “lay amendments” to the measure if it was not “sufficiently robust,” as described by Mr. Sunak.
A government source stated that Mr. Sunak, as chancellor, funded the Rwanda policy initiative, which is central to his plan for the government.
According to the documents, the chancellor “initially desires to pursue smaller volumes” of individuals dispatched to Rwanda, allocating “500 rather than 1,500 this year and 3,000 rather than 5,000 in years two or three.”
In addition, briefing documents compiled for a meeting with then-prime minister Boris Johnson and Mr. Sunak indicate that the then-chancellor believed that the “deterrent will not work” and that summer boat crossings would increase.
In a separate document summarizing Mr. Sunak’s position, Downing Street stated that “hotels are less expensive than non-detained accommodations (e.g., Greek-style reception centers) that he is refusing to fund.”
Sunak’s Disagreement and Disclosures
The available documents indicate that Mr. Sunak held the opposite view, advocating for a more significant “dispersal of people from hotels into private sector accommodation” nationwide.
Additionally, one email contains Number 10’s implication that Rishi should contemplate the potential impact on his popularity among the base if he rejected the Rwanda plan and other policy modifications.
“A month after becoming prime minister, Rishi, who had funded the Rwanda scheme as chancellor, incorporated it into his 10-point plan,” according to a government source.
“He is currently approving the Rwanda Bill by the Supreme Court’s directive to resume flights.”
He is the first prime minister in history to preside over a 36% decline in small craft crossings, which occurred last year.
Sunak is preparing to reintroduce legislation permitting the Rwanda scheme to operate.
As Mr. Sunak prepares to return to the House of Commons legislation that, according to Downing Street, will enable the Rwanda scheme to operate, these revelations surface.
Conservative backbenchers have urged the prime minister to disregard additional provisions of international law as he advances the bill.
These members of parliament are likely to be further alarmed by the disclosed documents, which suggest that Mr. Sunak is unwilling to take the necessary steps to implement the policy.
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Jenrick’s Optimism and Concerns
Following his resignation, Mr. Jenrick expressed optimism regarding the prime minister’s capability to implement the Rwanda plan despite stating that it must “actually work” and citing “strong disagreements” with the government regarding the policy.
He stated, “I am intimately acquainted with the prime minister, and I am confident that he recognizes the critical nature of establishing border control to implement the Rwanda plan, as it is such an essential component in preventing small boat crossings.”
I expect that he will fortify the bill en route to parliament. However, I have unequivocally stated that if he fails to do so, I shall introduce amendments to the bill the following week to ensure that it possesses the necessary strength to fulfill the expectations of the British public.
He added that it “does the job” regardless of whether or not it is the most robust piece of legislation we’ve ever enacted.
He stated, “We’ve passed three pieces of legislation in the same number of years; I’ve said it before three strikes or you’re out; we need to ensure that this one works.”
Anneliese Dodds, the chair of the Labour Party, stated that the documents demonstrated Mr. Sunak was aware of certain issues about the Rwanda policy; however, he refrained from taking action due to his preoccupation with internal affairs within the Conservative Party.
Downing Street claims legacy asylum cases cleared, 4,537 pending
