Tory Rebels Abstain, but Warn of Future Troubles
Rishi Sunak's controversial Rwanda plan narrowly escaped defeat in a parliamentary showdown as rebel Conservative MPs abstained from voting against the government. However, the rebels, led by Mark Francois, issued a warning that they would seek to strengthen the immigration legislation after Christmas, setting the stage for a potential clash with Downing Street. The prime minister's flagship bill survived despite dozens of right-wing MPs publicly withdrawing their support at the last minute.
Centrist Tories Oppose Further Changes
The prime minister now faces a dilemma, as centrist Tory backbenchers have made it clear that they will not tolerate any more amendments to the bill. After a meeting of conservative right-wing caucuses, Mark Francois stated that they could not support the bill due to its omissions, but instead of voting against it, the majority would abstain. Defeat in the vote would have created a full-blown crisis for the prime minister and potentially triggered calls for an election from the Labour Party.
Rebel MPs Confront Chief Whip
During a day of high-stakes drama, rebel Conservative MPs confronted Chief Whip Simon Hart over his warning of "consequences" if they voted against the bill. Sir Bill Cash, a prominent right-wing MP, angrily confronted Hart for his veiled threat to remove the whip from wavering MPs. Rebel sources criticized Hart's inadequate engagement with them before the crucial vote.
PM's Lobbying Efforts
Prime Minister Sunak personally led a day of intense lobbying, beginning with a breakfast meeting of the New Conservatives caucus. Over breakfast, he urged hardliners to support the bill and promised the possibility of tightening it up in the future. Party tensions were evident during a fiery Commons debate, where Home Secretary James Cleverly defended the bill, calling it an "innovative and humane solution" to a global problem.
Divisions Remain
While the bill narrowly survived this vote, divisions within the Conservative Party remain. Rebel MP Danny Kruger urged the prime minister to withdraw the bill, commit to making amendments, and warned that if he refused, MPs would vote against it in large numbers. Other backbenchers expressed concerns about individual claims and the potential impact on the deportation process. The prime minister's ability to make further changes to the bill is limited, as the One Nation caucus of Tory centrists opposes any hardening of the legislation.
Next Steps
The Rwanda plan, which disallows certain elements of the Human Rights Act, passed by a narrow margin. However, it does not completely overturn the act or the European Convention on Human Rights, which some MPs, including Suella Braverman, had desired. The future of the bill remains uncertain, with potential challenges and amendments expected in the New Year.
