Britain’s dismissed minister Suella Braverman has targeted British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda bill. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda Security Bill is to be introduced in Parliament next week. Sunak’s former cabinet colleague has said that this bill will not be of any benefit.
Following strong statements in the House of Commons, the former Indian-origin minister said in an interview with GB News channel on Friday that she would not support the bill in its current form.
The controversial bill, now going through its parliamentary process after passing the first hurdle in the Commons last month, seeks to remove legal barriers to Britain deporting asylum seekers to the East African country.
Braverman said in an interview, “I’m only going to support a bill that’s useful. As it’s currently drafted, it’s not useful. If it doesn’t make any improvements, I’m going to be against it.” I am afraid that I will have to vote. I am sent to Parliament to vote on such issues, I have to be for or against it, I cannot just sit and watch it.” British MPs are to debate and vote on amendments to the bill on Tuesday and Wednesday next week, the final step for any new legislation to be passed in the Commons before it is sent to the House of Lords for further scrutiny.
Non-passage of this bill could prove to be a big headache for Sunak. Sunak may face defeat if 32 MPs from his own Conservative Party vote against it. If this happens, it will happen for the first time since 1977. Since 1977, no government bill has been stuck in the third reading in the House of Commons.
Bowerman said: ‘I am deeply concerned by the large number of ministers I have spoken to who have serious reservations about this bill. Asked about the numbers, he responded, “Oh, dozens of people who don’t agree with this bill.” The former Home Secretary said it would be ‘far better’ for Sunak to stall the ‘Safety of Rwanda Bill’ and start again rather than making a ‘no-stop-boats’ law.