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Tory rebel Robert Jenrick ‘prepared’ to vote against Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda bill
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Lee Anderson and Brendan Clarke-Smith have both resigned as Tory Deputy Chairmen so they can rebel against Rishi Sunak on his flagship Rwanda immigration plan.
The pair said in a joint resignation letter that “whilst our main wish is to strengthen the legislation, this means that in order to vote for amendments we will therefore need to offer you our resignations from our rules”.
They said it was “important in terms of credibility that we are consistent” on arguing that safeguards must be put in place to ensure the Government’s flagship asylum policy is legally watertight.
Jane Stevenson, Kemi Badenoch’s Parliamentary Private Secretary, also voted against the party whip and resigned promptly after.
It comes as MPs voted 525 to 58, against Conservative former minister Robert Jenrick’s amendment, which was aimed at severely limiting individual asylum seekers’ ability to appeal against being put on a flight to Rwanda.
Labour said the Tory resignations show that even senior members of the party believe “the Conservatives have failed” and accused Rishi Sunak of weakness.
Recommended As Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda bill faces its latest test, what is at stake for the PM? Can Rishi Sunak cling to power? Join The Independent Debate and tell us your general election predictions UNHCR says Sunak’s new Rwanda bill still violates international humanitarian law Sunak suffers blow as two Tory deputy chairmen vow to rebel over Rwanda Bill Are the Tories really facing their worst general election result since 1997?
Key Points Rwanda row sparks fresh leadership crisis for Sunak UNHCR concludes Sunak’s new Rwanda Bill violates international law Lee Anderson and Brendan Clarke-Smith quit as deputy chairmen Robert Jenrick’s amendment rejected by Commons PM accepts resignations of Lee Anderson and Brendan Clarke-Smith
Show latest update 1 hour ago Big name Tories join 60-strong rebellion
Senior Tory MPs were among 60 to rebel against Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda plan, backing amendments that sought to toughen up the bill.
These include former prime minister Liz Truss, sacked home secretary Suella Braverman, Jacob Rees-Mog, former leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith and Robert Jenrick.
Barney Davis 16 January 2024 20:00
1 hour ago Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg said the rebellion has not damaged Rishi Sunak’s position as leader
Asked what the size of the rebellion says about Rishi Sunak’s leadership, Sir Jacob said the party is a “democracy” and “coalition of views”, adding: “All party leaders have to deal with that in their own way and Rishi Sunak does that in a courteous and intelligent way.”
Asked if the rebellion has damaged the Prime Minister’s position as leader, Sir Jacob said: “Not this particular discussion, no.”
The Conservative former cabinet minister said he has not yet made up his mind on how he would vote on the Bill’s third reading, saying: “I think amendments and the Bill itself are different questions because there are good bits of the Bill and it’s a Bill that could be improved with amendments.
“That doesn’t mean that the rest of the Bill is fundamentally bad.”
Barney Davis 16 January 2024 19:57
1 hour ago Another Tory rebel comes out of woodwork ahead of crunch Rwanda vote tomorrow
Tory rebel Danny Kruger said he was “prepared” to vote against the Rwanda Bill but said he hopes the Government will continue with “constructive conversations”.
The New Conservatives co-chairman told the PA news agency: “I think the size of the rebellion shows that a significant number of Conservative colleagues are serious about amending this Bill.”
He conceded it was “painful to break the whip”, but said: “I hope the Government will continue the constructive conversations we’ve had and we will get into a better place tomorrow.”
Asked if he could see himself voting against the Bill at third reading, he said: “I am prepared to.”
Barney Davis 16 January 2024 19:42
1 hour ago Resignations show how weak Rishi Sunak is - Labour
Pat McFadden MP, Labour’s national campaign co-ordinator, said: “Rishi Sunak is too weak to lead his party and too weak to lead the country.
“These resignations show that even senior Tories think that the Conservatives have failed and is yet more evidence of the total Tory chaos over their failing Rwanda gimmick – yet they are still making the taxpayer pay the extortionate price.
“After 14 years of Tory failure it is time for a change and the general election can’t come soon enough. Labour would crack down on the criminal smuggling gangs, reverse the collapse in returns with a new Returns Unit, and end hotel use which is costing the taxpayer billions.”
Barney Davis 16 January 2024 19:26
1 hour ago Third Tory resigns as PPS to Kemi Badenoch after Rwanda vote
Jane Stevenson, Kemi Badenoch’s Parliamentary Private Secretary, also voted against the party whip and resigned promptly after.
Earlier the MP for Wolverhampton North East told the Commons: “I want to thank all colleagues who are trying to strengthen this Bill.
“I want it to be as robust as it possibly can be because we need it to be fit for the crisis that we face.
“It is a crisis and my constituents certainly want to see results on that crisis, so I will support these amendments.
“And I also want to put on record my wholehearted thanks to the Prime Minister for his determination to sort this out.”
Barney Davis 16 January 2024 19:20
1 hour ago Labour’s clause 6 voted down in the Commons in final vote
The Commons rejected a Labour frontbench amendment to the Bill 336 to 262, majority 74, which would have added to the Bill the ability to suspend Rwanda’s safe status if it failed to live up to obligations in its treaty with the UK.
Barney Davis 16 January 2024 19:09
1 hour ago Tory rebel Mark Francois said ‘numbers speak for themselves'
Mark Francois said he hopes the Government will listen to rebellion when asked if he would vote against the Rwanda Bill on Wednesday.
“I hope very much that the Government will listen and as a result of this… that the Government will listen and take stock and that perhaps there will be some possibility of tightening the Bill… tomorrow,” he told Sky News.
“The numbers speak for themselves.”
Asked if he would support the Government at third reading he said: “Let’s see what happens tomorrow.”
Asked if the rebels have the numbers to defeat the Government, he said: “All I will say at this stage is I think the numbers tonight speak for themselves.”
Barney Davis 16 January 2024 19:06
2 hours ago Clause 4 voted through Commons by 275 majority
MPs voted 330 to 55, majority 275, in favour of Clause 4 of the Bill, which deals with decisions about individual asylum seekers’ circumstances.
Barney Davis 16 January 2024 18:55
2 hours ago PM accepts resignations of Lee Anderson and Brendan Clarke-Smith
Rishi Sunak has accepted the resignations of Lee Anderson and Brendan Clarke-Smith after the deputy chairmen stepped down to back amendments to his flaship Rwanda Bill.
A Downing Street source said: “The PM accepts their resignation and thanks both Lee and Brendan for their dedication and hard work for the Conservative Party.
“This is the toughest legislation ever brought before Parliament to tackle illegal migration.
“This Bill will make it clear that if you come here illegally you will not be able to stay. We must pass this Bill to deliver what all Conservatives want – a credible plan to stop the boats.”
Barney Davis 16 January 2024 18:50
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2 hours ago Robert Jenrick’s amendment voted down by Commons
MPs voted 525 to 58, majority 467 against Conservative former minister Robert Jenrick’s amendment, which was aimed at severely limiting individual asylum seekers’ ability to appeal against being put on a flight to Rwanda.
Barney Davis 16 January 2024 18:42
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1/ 1Lee Anderson and Brendan Clark-Smith quit to back rebel amendments
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