The controversial Rwanda bill proposed by Chancellor Rishi Sunak faces its first test as it goes through the House of Lords. Despite significant opposition from peers, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lib Dems are expected to fail in their bid to block the bill completely. However, it is anticipated that key powers will be stripped from the legislation as it progresses. The government is seeking to use the bill to prevent legal challenges against their planned deportation of asylum seekers to Rwanda.
Last week, peers inflicted a defeat on the government when they requested that a UK-Rwanda treaty be delayed until Kigali improves its asylum procedures. But as key votes on the legislation in the Lords are not due until next month, the government is still aiming to have the flights to Rwanda operational by spring 2022. Though any changes made by peers are likely to be overturned by the Commons.
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby has described the bill as “damaging” to the UK’s reputation, to “national unity” and to asylum seekers “who are in need of protection”. Labour’s former home secretary Lord David Blunkett called the Rwanda Bill “shoddy and less than this country deserves,” arguing that it punishes asylum seekers. Instead of putting forward legislation that threatens and victimizes asylum seekers, Britain needs to tighten its border security, process claims and establish new agreements with France.
Conservative Lord Hannan, a former MEP, defended the bill, despite acknowledging its imperfections. He said it was necessary as part of a “package of measures” that would act as a deterrent, curbing the demand for illegal migration to the UK. The government claims that the bill is crucial to end the risk posed by illegal crossings in small boats across the Channel.
The bill has exposed on-going divisions among the Tories, with two deputy chairmen having quit their roles in order to support the rebel amendments proposed in the Commons. Ultimately, the challenge failed to gather sufficient support, with just 11 MPs voting against the Rwanda bill. Despite significant opposition, the government continues to insist that the bill represents the “right thing to do
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