British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has faced a long and challenging battle in Parliament to push through his deportation plan to Rwanda. Despite missing the original deadline for the first flights of irregular migrants, Sunak has managed to secure approval for the Rwanda Safety Bill, which limits the ability of individuals to appeal their deportation.
Sunak has pledged to begin deportations in July, with plans already in place for charter flights and trained personnel to accompany the deportees. The Prime Minister faced resistance from the House of Lords, with amendments being sent back and forth between the Lords and the Commons in a process known as “parliamentary ping-pong.”
Ultimately, concessions were made to address concerns about the safety of deportees, including a promise to review the requirements for deportation to exclude Afghan veterans who collaborated with British forces. With the final amendment withdrawn, the Rwanda Safety Bill was finally approved.
Sunak’s political future is closely tied to his tough stance on immigration, with the Prime Minister vowing to “stop the boats” and crack down on irregular immigration. The recent parliamentary victory comes as Sunak faces challenging municipal elections and potential internal unrest within the Conservative Party.
While Sunak has expressed a desire to delay general elections until next autumn, a significant defeat in the upcoming local elections could increase pressure for an early election. The approval of the deportation plan to Rwanda represents a crucial victory for Sunak, who is fighting to maintain his position as Prime Minister amidst growing political challenges.