Prime Minister Rishi Sunak Under Fire Over Immigration Plan and Pandemic Response
London, England – U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is facing a turbulent week as he confronts a rebellion over his controversial immigration policy and answers tough questions about his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sunak’s plan to send asylum-seekers to Rwanda is set to face a crucial vote in the House of Commons on Tuesday, as lawmakers from various factions of his Conservative party express opposition to the bill. Simultaneously, Sunak has been under scrutiny during a six-hour grilling at the U.K.’s pandemic inquiry, where he defended his decision-making during the health crisis.
The Prime Minister, who was Treasury chief to Boris Johnson at the onset of the pandemic, faced criticism over a discount initiative to revive the restaurant industry in August 2020. The government’s scientific advisors have reported that they were not consulted about the “Eat Out to Help Out” program, which they believe led to a surge in infections. Sunak denied taking risks with public health, emphasizing that he was providing economic advice to the prime minister, who held the ultimate decision-making authority.
As the inquiry delved into Sunak’s actions during the pandemic, his testimony did not include WhatsApp messages from the time, which he claimed were lost due to phone changes. The prime minister also faced backlash from a pressure group, COVID-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, which criticized his lack of recollection of key moments from his time as chancellor.
In addition to the scrutiny over his pandemic response, Sunak is also battling to save his Rwanda immigration plan, which has faced legal challenges and setbacks. The plan, aimed at curbing unauthorized migration from France, has been deemed illegal by the U.K. Supreme Court. The proposed legislation to salvage the plan faces opposition from lawmakers within Sunak’s own party, potentially threatening his leadership.
As Sunak navigates these challenges, he seeks to deliver on his promise to “stop the boats” in order to narrow the polling gap with the opposition Labour Party ahead of an upcoming election. However, some Tory lawmakers are skeptical of his ability to succeed and are contemplating a change of leadership. With tensions rising within the Conservative party, the prime minister’s political future remains uncertain.