Sunak handed lifeline as centrist One Nation Tories back Rwanda bill
Moderate Tory MPs handed Rishi Sunak a lifeline after they came out in support of the contentious Rwanda bill, pledging to vote with the Government when the legislation is put to a vote in the Commons on Tuesday.
In a major boost for the Prime Minister, the One Nation caucus of Conservatives said they would back the Government when it comes to the second reading of the Safety of Rwanda Bill.
But Damian Green, chair of the group, warned No 10 it must “stick to its guns” and avoid accepting any amendments from MPs calling for tougher measures that would contravene international law or risk the caucus voting against the legislation.
Speaking to reporters in Parliament after an hour-long meeting with One Nation Tories, Mr Green said: “We have decided to vote with the Government at the second reading of the bill. But if anyone brings forward any amendments that breach our international obligations in international law we will vote against them.”
He added: “We want the Government to stick to its guns and stick to the text of the bill.”
His comments were echoed by Matt Warman, a leading member of the One Nation group, who said the bill represents a “delicate balance” between what is legally possible and what will actually deliver results.
In a veiled swipe at colleagues on the right of the party pushing for the Government to go further, Mr Warman added that it was in the “national interest” for the Government to resist proposals that would “derail other parts of the package of measures necessary to tackle illegal migration”.
There had been fears that the One Nation group would vote against the bill, leaving Mr Sunak facing rebellions on both sides of the party and potentially leaving his asylum policy in tatters.
But while moderate Tories said they would fall in behind the Government, Tory peers warned Mr Sunak that even in its current state, the Rwanda bill will be so heavily amended it would end up being “emasculated” in the Upper Chamber.
One veteran Conservative told i: “At the moment the legislation is looking like an omelette with too many chefs, but if it does actually make it into the Lords it will be heavily amended, which will not please the Commons.
“There are a lot of lawyers in the Lords and they take a very dim view of any laws being breached, so if the bill contains any provisions to break international law this will not go down well.”
Another Tory peer predicted the bill will be “very heavily amended” should it make its way to the Lords.
“Although it’s not in the manifesto, it’s very unlikely it will be voted down completely,” the peer added.
