Peers land first blow in their battle to stop Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda plan
PEERS last night landed the first blow in their battle to sink Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda plan
They voted to back an unprecedented bid to delay the new treaty with Kigali that underpins the entire deportation scheme.
While non-binding, it is a statement of intent that the Lords will try to scupper the PM’s flagship plan when it comes to the upper House next week.
Peers voted by 214 to 171 in favour of halting ratification of the new deal with Rwanda for fear it lacks certain safeguards.
Labour’s Lord Goldsmith had tabled the motion claiming asylum seekers were not safe under the current agreement.
He said: “We are not saying the treaty should never be ratified but we are saying that Parliament should have the opportunity to scrutinise the treaty and its implementing measures in full before it makes a judgement about Rwanda is safe.”
Tory Home Office Minister Lord Sharp accused Labour of trying to “frustrate” the will of elected MPs, who voted to approve the Rwanda Bill last week.
Next week the legislation will come to the Lords where peers are expected to reject it.
Last week Mr Sunak warned the unelected politicians not to stand in the way of the plan that is vital to stopping small boats.