Rwanda Bill Faces Critical Showdown in House of Lords
The progress of the Rwanda bill is facing potential further delays as the House of Lords prepares to review a new set of amendments to the legislation. Following the rejection of 10 proposed amendments by peers earlier in the month, the bill may need to return to the House of Commons if additional changes are agreed upon in the Lords. Such a scenario could prolong the passage of the bill until after the Easter break.
The primary objective of the bill is to revive plans for the relocation of certain asylum seekers to Rwanda, designating the East African nation as a safe destination. This initiative comes in response to a Supreme Court ruling that deemed deportation flights to Rwanda as potentially violating human rights, thus necessitating legislative adjustments.
Further delays in passing the legislation could jeopardize the government’s aim to commence deportation flights this spring, a key component of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s pledge to “stop the boats” and deter individuals from undertaking perilous journeys across the English Channel.
Proposed amendments under consideration in the House of Lords include provisions to ensure compliance with domestic and international law, proposed by Labour, and exemptions for individuals who have supported the UK armed forces overseas, advocated by Labour peer Lord Browne. Additionally, crossbench peer Lord Hope has suggested an amendment stipulating that Rwanda be recognized as a safe country only after the implementation of a treaty with new safeguards.
Home Office Minister Michael Tomlinson has criticized these amendments as “wrecking amendments,” highlighting the government’s opposition to substantial changes to the bill. If all amendments fail to pass in the Lords, the bill could potentially become law by the end of the week. However, if any amendments are approved, the bill would undergo further scrutiny in a process known as “ping pong” between the two parliamentary chambers until a consensus is reached on the final wording.
Despite the potential delays, Downing Street officials remain confident that the objective of initiating deportation flights this spring can still be achieved, even if the legislation is not finalized until after Easter. Home Secretary James Cleverly has urged peers to allow the bill to proceed, emphasizing the importance of implementing measures to deter illegal migration and safeguard lives.
