Rishi Sunak has said that no asylum seekers will be sent to Rwanda before the election under the government’s deportation scheme. It had been thought ministers would try to get the first flight off before polling day, to showcase their flagship policy on countering illegal migration.
But the PM has now said they will go “if I’m re-elected” on 4 July. Labour has pledged to scrap the plan if it wins power, raising questions over whether anyone will ever be sent. The scheme, which has already cost £240m, will be a key dividing line between the two main parties over the six-week election campaign.Rishi Sunak has said that no asylum seekers will be sent to Rwanda before the election under the government’s deportation scheme.
It had been thought ministers would try to get the first flight off before polling day, to showcase their flagship policy on countering illegal migration. But the PM has now said they will go “if I’m re-elected” on 4 July.
Labour has pledged to scrap the plan if it wins power, raising questions over whether anyone will ever be sent.
The scheme, which has already cost £240m, will be a key dividing line between the two main parties over the six-week election campaign.In a sign he now wants to make delivering the plan a key offer to voters, he said flights will go “in July” and “that’s the choice at this election”. Asked on BBC Radio 4 whether this meant after the election, he replied “Yes,” before adding “the choice here is clear”.
“If you think stopping the boats is important, and you think like I do that you need a deterrent to do that […] then I’m the only one that’s going to deliver that,” he added. The Liberal Democrats called the comments an “utter humiliation and admission of defeat” from the prime minister.
“The Rwanda scheme has been an immoral and expensive disaster from day one,” added home affairs spokesperson Alistair Carmichael.
Source: BBC
In other news – Rishi Sunak announces 4 July general election
Rishi Sunak has called a surprise early election for 4 July in a contest that will see Keir Starmer try to take power for Labour after 14 years of Conservative-led government. The prime minister announced the election would be in the early summer, in a high-risk move for the Conservative party as it trails 20 points behind Labour in the polls.
Sunak finally decided to name the date after claiming inflation was back under control and the economy was improving, saying it was “the moment for Britain to choose its future. Read more
