Just 29 Conservative MPs could defeat the bill if no independents or other parties vote (Image: Getty)
Tory rebels will only decide whether to torpedo the government’s flagship Rwanda plan hours before the final vote.
More than 50 MPs have now backed a series of changes to toughen up the planned new laws ahead of its return to the Commons next week.
A senior source said they are prepared to oppose the plans if Rishi Sunak refuses to make concessions.
Powered By
00:00/01:54
10
10
Mickey's Mouse Trap: Official trailer
Share
Next
Stay
They dismissed claims the Prime Minister will call a general election if the key legislation is defeated, insisting the row is about a difference of opinion over how to implement the plans rather than a fundamental split over policy.
The rebels will continue to “negotiate” with the Prime Minister before taking a “collective” decision in the hours before the crunch vote.
Don't miss... Braverman: Half of Tory MPs will lose their seats unless PM fixes Rwanda Bill
Ex-home secretary Suella Braverman said the Safety of Rwanda Bill “amounts to a betrayal to the British public”.
She told GB News: “I want to stop the boats. I want this government to stop the boats. It's got a chance to do that. And that's why I'm urging the Prime Minister to accept our amendments so that we can work together to fix this bill and stop the boats.”
She added: “We've got over 50 Conservative MPs who've now publicly put their names to these amendments who share our concerns and who want to fix the bill. This is a significant number of backbenchers who feel very strongly and we will all be discussing this matter intensively over the next few days.”
Ms Braverman insisted there are “dozens” of ministers who believe the bill will fail.
She added: “This bill does not work. And if there are no improvements to it, I will have to vote against it. I'm afraid. I'm sent to Parliament, to vote for things to be for things or to be against them not to sit on the fence.”
Trending
Just 29 Conservative MPs could defeat the bill if no independents or other parties vote with the government.
But not all of the 56 Tories backing amendments will oppose the legislation even if the Prime Minister refuses to make changes.
Sir Michael Fabricant said: “I most certainly will back it at third reading. I see no merit in having no Rwanda Bill in place.
“I just hope that if the Bill passes unamended it will do the job as Number 10 claims. I’ll be relying on that!”
Sir John Redwood said: “Bill Cash is trying to make sure that this piece of legislation can deliver. The Prime Minister has said he intends to stop the boats. This will make it more likely we could do so.”
DON'T MISS
Powered by
POLL: Do you think Rishi Sunak's new Rwanda Bill will stop the boats? Vote here
227 Comments
Suella Braverman warns half of Tory MPs will lose their seats unless PM fixes Rwanda Bill
326 Comments
Let's not kid ourselves about Rwanda, says Jonathan Saxty
50 Comments
POLL: When should Rishi Sunak call a general election? Vote here
317 Comments
Nigel Farage rages Rishi Sunak needs to be 'taught unforgettable lesson' in bitter row
1140 Comments
Exact date set for Rishi Sunak's double by-election nightmare
70 Comments
Tory civil war reignites as One Nation MP tears into right-wing colleagues
163 Comments
Labour MP issues damning verdict on Sir Keir Starmer's readiness to be PM
234 Comments
We need to stop illegal immigrants from abusing UK's generosity, writes Jonathan Gullis
45 Comments
Top pollster pinpoints major clue Rishi Sunak has given away exact general election date
45 Comments
Keir Starmer rows back on another leadership pledge in BBC Laura Kuenssberg grilling
1089 Comments
Liz Truss leads new drive to save Tories from Nigel Farage
1706 Comments
Rishi Sunak's nightmare start to election year with first poll confirming Tory wipeout
151 Comments
POLL: Should Ed Davey hand back his knighthood?
101 Comments
The Rwanda Bill 'doesn't end the merry-go-round of legal challenges', protests Mr Jenrick
510 Comments
Tory rebels warned 'back Rishi over Rwanda' as fears of election wipeout mount
88 Comments
Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg threatens to vote against Rwanda policy if it's not 'effective' enough
75 Comments
Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg warns against voting down Rwanda deportation plans
12 Comments
Rishi Sunak open to Tory Rebels' input on Rwanda flight ban bill
28 Comments
Tories face 'worst election defeat since 1997' with Keir Starmer set for huge win
286 Comments
POLL: Do you think Rishi Sunak's new Rwanda Bill will stop the boats? Vote here
227 Comments
Suella Braverman warns half of Tory MPs will lose their seats unless PM fixes Rwanda Bill
326 Comments
Let's not kid ourselves about Rwanda, says Jonathan Saxty
50 Comments
POLL: When should Rishi Sunak call a general election? Vote here
317 Comments
Nigel Farage rages Rishi Sunak needs to be 'taught unforgettable lesson' in bitter row
1140 Comments
Exact date set for Rishi Sunak's double by-election nightmare
70 Comments
Tory civil war reignites as One Nation MP tears into right-wing colleagues
163 Comments
Labour MP issues damning verdict on Sir Keir Starmer's readiness to be PM
234 Comments
We need to stop illegal immigrants from abusing UK's generosity, writes Jonathan Gullis
45 Comments
Top pollster pinpoints major clue Rishi Sunak has given away exact general election date
45 Comments
Keir Starmer rows back on another leadership pledge in BBC Laura Kuenssberg grilling
1089 Comments
Liz Truss leads new drive to save Tories from Nigel Farage
1706 Comments
Rishi Sunak's nightmare start to election year with first poll confirming Tory wipeout
151 Comments
POLL: Should Ed Davey hand back his knighthood?
101 Comments
The Rwanda Bill 'doesn't end the merry-go-round of legal challenges', protests Mr Jenrick
510 Comments
Tory rebels warned 'back Rishi over Rwanda' as fears of election wipeout mount
88 Comments
Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg threatens to vote against Rwanda policy if it's not 'effective' enough
75 Comments
Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg warns against voting down Rwanda deportation plans
12 Comments
Rishi Sunak open to Tory Rebels' input on Rwanda flight ban bill
28 Comments
Tories face 'worst election defeat since 1997' with Keir Starmer set for huge win
286 Comments
POLL: Do you think Rishi Sunak's new Rwanda Bill will stop the boats? Vote here
227 Comments
Suella Braverman warns half of Tory MPs will lose their seats unless PM fixes Rwanda Bill
326 Comments
Let's not kid ourselves about Rwanda, says Jonathan Saxty
50 Comments
POLL: When should Rishi Sunak call a general election? Vote here
317 Comments
Nigel Farage rages Rishi Sunak needs to be 'taught unforgettable lesson' in bitter row
1140 Comments
Exact date set for Rishi Sunak's double by-election nightmare
70 Comments
Tory civil war reignites as One Nation MP tears into right-wing colleagues
163 Comments
Conservative MP Marco Longhi said: “I am backing the amendments because I completely support the PM’s priority to stop the boats.
“Too many lawyers have stated that the Bill in its current form will not deliver, and the last thing I want is another piece of legislation that fails.”
Related articles The Rwanda Bill 'doesn’t end the merry-go-round of legal challenges' Let's stop kidding ourselves about Rwanda, says Jonathan Saxty Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg warns against voting down Rwanda deportation plans POLL: Do you think Rishi Sunak's new Rwanda Bill will stop the boats? Vote here UK to explore additional safe routes for refugees
Become an Express Premium member Support fearless journalism Read The Daily Express online, advert free Get super-fast page loading
Start 30-day
FREE trial