Stubborn peers vote yet again to wreck Rwanda f lights Bill
peers ignored pleas to tackle the Channel crisis last night as they inflicted yet more defeats on rishi sunak’s rwanda policy.
The unelected Lords were accused of ‘backing the people smugglers’ after imposing a series of changes on the safety Of rwanda Bill.
The blocking tactics came on the busiest day of the year so far on the Channel. An estimated 480 migrants reached Britain by small boat from northern France.
The life-saving measures are expected to return to the Commons on April 15, and back to the Lords the following day. It is possible the Government could attempt to force it through with repeated votes even if Lords continue to resist.
The delay will give the Government time to consider making concessions to the Lords and get the bill on the statute Book — with removal flights expected to follow just weeks later.
Home secretary James Cleverly said it was time for ‘the talking to end’ and implement the scheme.
‘ While Labour and their allies try anything to delay, disrupt or destroy that plan people are risking their lives in the hands of people who don’t care if they die as long as they pay.
‘The talking needs to end so we can get on with the job of saving lives and
‘Labour changes will damage the scheme’
stopping the boats,’ he said. Former Cabinet minister sir Jacob rees-Mogg said: ‘The peers blocking the bill are backing the people smugglers, but those who have respect for the constitution are allowing the Bill to go through.’
He said parliament should not be allowed to break up for the easter recess until the law is passed. ‘The Chief Whip should change parliamentary business and not let the House go down until this is completed.’
The pM had previously warned peers not to ignore the ‘will of the people’ by blocking the bill. The Government’s scheme – which has been in legal limbo for nearly two years – aims to see illegal migrants sent to the east African nation to claim asylum there rather than in the UK. Ministers believe it will deter Channel small boat crossings.
On Monday the Commons voted to strip out all of the Lords’ previous amendments. But yesterday peers inflicted seven defeats on the Government as they once again sought to water down the Bill. Majorities varied from 30 to 55. Ministers warned the changes – all backed by Labour – would ‘significantly damage’ the scheme.
Government law officer Lord stewart said peers’ changes would dilute its ‘deterrent effect’. Amendments restoring judges’ ability to block removals would ‘perpetuate the cycle of legal challenge and render the bill worthless,’ he warned. economic
secretary to the Treasury Bim Afolami told LBC last night: ‘The House of Lords needs to yield ultimately to the will of the Commons. It’s important that if we are in a democracy, the House of Commons does get its way over the House of Lords.’
During the debate Lord Green, president of Migration Watch UK which campaigns for tougher border controls, urged peers to take account of strong public concern over the ‘deteriorating’ asylum system. ‘We must not forget that very substantial numbers in this country are concerned about what’s happening now on our borders and the Government needs to get a grip,’ he said.
Labour’s Lord Coaker said it was ‘not our intention to block the bill’ but only to refine the plan and stop migrant boats.
No10 has insisted the first rwanda removals flights will still be able to take place this spring.
Justice secretary Alex Chalk said he believed rwanda- style schemes will be copied by other countries. ‘Other nations, other european Convention on Human rights nations, are watching closely what we are doing here,’ he told the Lords’ constitution committee.