UK PM Rishi Sunak Faces Backlash Over Plan to Send Asylum Seekers to Rwanda
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is facing mounting criticism and a potential leadership challenge over his government’s controversial plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, dubbed “Stop The Boats”. The anti-immigration plan has sparked a wave of discontent within his own Conservative Party, leading to the resignation of UK’s immigration minister, Robert Jenrick.
The “Stop The Boats” plan, which aims to cut soaring immigration in the country, has caused a rift within the Conservative Party, pitting hardliners against moderates. The stakes are high as the plan has already faced legal challenges, with both the Court of Appeal and the UK Supreme Court ruling that Rwanda cannot be considered a safe third country for asylum seekers.
Despite these setbacks, Rishi Sunak’s administration has published emergency legislation to ensure that Rwanda is considered a safe country, which is set to be put to vote on December 12. However, this move has further fueled the opposition within his own party, with some Members of Parliament hinting at a no-confidence vote against the Prime Minister.
The controversy comes at a critical time for Rishi Sunak, who has been in office for just over a year. A potential leadership challenge could significantly weaken the Conservative Party’s position, especially with crucial elections on the horizon in January 2025.
In addition to the “Stop The Boats” plan, the UK government’s latest immigration crackdown also includes a major hike in the minimum salary threshold for British nationals and permanent residents applying to bring family members to join them in the UK. This move is expected to impact several Indian families, as overseas care workers will be banned from bringing family members and skilled professionals must meet an annual salary threshold of GBP 38,700, up from the current GBP 26,200.
The new immigration measures have raised concerns among Indian industry and student groups, who have warned of the “unintended consequences” of the stringent rules, which could lead skilled Indians to choose alternate economies.
As the backlash against Rishi Sunak’s government continues to mount, the Prime Minister’s future hangs in the balance, with the potential for a leadership challenge looming large. The outcome of the upcoming vote on the emergency legislation will be a crucial turning point for both Rishi Sunak and the future direction of the Conservative Party.