MP reacts to archbishop’s criticism of ‘Rwanda Plan’
WOKINGHAM’S MP has reacted to the archbishop of Canterbury’s criticism of government plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda
In his Easter sermon, The Most Revd Justin Welby, described the government’s policy as “opposite the nature of God”.
Sir John Redwood, the Conservative MP for Wokingham, responded by saying: “It was true that in the last century many Conservative MPs, councillors and voluntary workers swelled congregations alongside people of other parties and the nonpolitical.
“Today more Conservatives stay away, knowing they are not welcome.
“If the archbishops ever want to win back lost congregations, they could try being more positive about the country they serve.”
Priti Patel, the home secretary, announced the scheme last week which would see people, deemed to have entered the UK unlawfully, flown to Rwanda.
There, they would be processed and, if successful, provided long-term accommodation.
The Most Revd Welby said the scheme would be “sub-contracting our responsibilities”.
In response Sir John said: “So what is the archbishop’s proposal on how to stop the lucrative and illegal trade by people traffickers?
“Why does he want to live with law breaking and dangerous voyages?”
The government’s scheme, nicknamed “The Rwanda Plan” has also received criticism from councillors in Wokingham.
Cllr Clive Jones, leader of the Wokingham Liberal Democrats, said: “They are not a good idea. They are flying in the face of several hundred years of history where British people support refugees.
“British people don’t say ‘ok you’ve landed on our shores, now we are going to put you on a plane and send you somewhere you don’t want to go’.
“What’s going to happen is people will be arriving on our shores and then be put into some safe areas, then put on a plane and sent to a country that they didn’t choose to go to.
Andy Croy, campaign coordinator for the Wokingham Labour Group, also denounced the plans and called on Sir John to focus his energy elsewhere.
He said: “The scheme will take away the right of people to seek asylum in the UK by removing them to the middle of Africa and making them apply for asylum in Rwanda instead of the UK.
“Successful applicants will now find themselves in Rwanda where they may have no language, familial or other ties.
“It’s astonishing that Redwood has more energy and time to criticise the archbishop of Canterbury than he does Boris Johnson.”