PM holds press conference on new Rwanda plan
Rishi Sunak has appointed two hardline Brexiteers to replace Robert Jenrick at the Home Office following the immigration minister's resignation.
In a mini-reshuffle, Downing Street announced that the Prime Minister had decided to split Mr Jenrick’s role up with two new Home Office ministers of state – one for illegal migration and one for legal migration.
Michael Tomlinson, a former deputy chairman of the European Research Group (ERG) of backbench Tory Brexiteers, has been appointed the illegal migration minister and will take the leading role on the new emergency legislation on Rwanda.
Tom Pursglove, who campaigned with Nigel Farage for Brexit during the EU referendum, will take the latter role.
Mr Pursglove has been described as the most Right-wing member of the Government, with Mr Sunak’s decision to promote him seen as an attempt to placate the Right of the Tory party while they consider whether or not to back James Cleverly’s new Bill.
It comes as furious allies of the PM have blasted Tory rebels, with one veteran backbencher telling Express.co.uk: "I told my whip that any rebel who votes against this Rwanda Bill should be put up against a wall and castrated."
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KEY EVENTS Tory right begins focussing demands around Rwanda Bill18:05 Rishi Sunak tells warring Tory MPs to 'look at the facts'11:24 Rishi Sunak addresses nation from No 1011:08 RESHUFFLE: Michael Tomlinson MP replaces Robert Jenrick10:32 Rishi Sunak to hold press conference in one hour10:18 Rwanda Bill could be a confidence vote in the government09:22 Suella Braverman rages Rishi Sunak's new Rwanda Bill is doomed to fail in BBC attack09:07 Rishi Sunak accused of ignoring the will of the people by a Tory MP08:56 Join Express's WhatsApp community for the latest politics news08:49 Get the latest politics news from Express's Politics newsletter08:46 All eyes on Sir Bill Cash and the Star Chamber08:17 Cabinet minister claims 'highly unlikely' Rishi Sunak will face confidence vote08:02
1 week ago18:49 Katie Harris
Tories on 22 points in latest poll
Almost six in 10 (58 percent) of all Tory supporters from the 2019 election have abandoned the party, the latest weekly tracker poll from Techne UK for the Express has revealed.
According to the findings among those who express a preference for a party, 45 percent will vote Labour (unchanged), 22 percent Conservative (down one), 12 percent Lib Dem (up one), eight percent Reform UK and seven percent Green (both unchanged).
Read the full results here.
1 week ago18:05 Christian Calgie
Tory right begins focussing demands around Rwanda Bill
The Tory right has been eerily quiet since the Government published the Rwanda Bill yesterday.
Many, especially the ERG, are waiting to hear back from the so-called Star Chamber Court of legal experts before pronouncing views about the Government's latest wheeze.
However the Express has just spoken to one source in a key right-wing caucus who spelled out their thinking at the moment.
They said their gut instinct is the Bill needs "significant amendment", with the main focus being around Clause 4 of the act.
Clause 4 relates to appeals, and the Bill as presented still allows for individual appeals, which could easily lead to a repeat of migrants being taken off the plane before take-off one-by-one as their legal representatives file objectives to their deportations.
They said they want to be in a position where at least 30-50 percent of arrivals are immediately on a plane off to Rwanda, certainly not waiting around for seven months or so.
They also expressed disapproval at the Government kicking the final vote on the plan into the new year, as reported by the Express earlier.
They said they do not believe No. 10 would be delaying the. vote for so long if Mr Sunak and his team believed it easily winable.
All eyes are now on where the ERG, New Conservatives and Common Sense Group begin moving as we approach Tuesday's second reading.
1 week ago17:09 Katie Harris
CCHQ attacks Labour with BBC meme
The official Conservatives account on social media platform X shared an image of BBC presenter Maryam Moshiri caught giving the middle finger at the start of a live broadcast.
The post said: "Labour when you ask for their plans to tackle illegal migration."
Labour when you ask for their plans to tackle illegal migration. pic.twitter.com/8ig9KkfFxX
\u2014 Conservatives (@ Conservatives) December 7, 2023
1 week ago16:47 Katie Harris
Another leadership contest would be 'insanity' - Tory chairman
Holding another leadership contest to change prime minister would be "insanity", the Conservative Party chairman has said.
Asked by reporters at a press gallery lunch if he could rule out another leadership contest before the next election, Richard Holden said: "I think it would be insanity to do that."
1 week ago16:11 Sam Stevenson
'Insane' Tory rebels see Rwanda as 'vehicle to bring PM down', blast Rishi Sunak allies
Allies of the Prime Minister have furiously attacked Tory rebels claiming they are only interested in a coup and not tackling illegal migration.
A minister said: "The only thing [rebels] will achieve is to destroy the Conservative Party.
"We were all essentially hoping for a soft landing and minimising an election defeat but this lot seem bent on destroying the Conservative Party from the inside."
1 week ago15:58 Katie Harris
Scottish Tory leader backs new Bill on Rwanda
Scottish Conservative leader and Moray MP Douglas Ross said he would support the Government's new Bill declaring Rwanda a safe destination for asylum seekers.
Speaking after First Minister's Questions, Mr Ross said there were "far too many lives lost in the English Channel".
He added: "It's absolutely vital that we use every policy available to prevent people from making an extremely dangerous crossing - we see far too many lives lost in the English Channel.
"That's why the Prime Minister has looked at the ruling from the Supreme Court, he's looked at the legislation that can be brought through the UK Parliament to deter people from making that dangerous crossing, from putting their life at risk and also to ensure the people that benefit from this currently - the people smugglers - that route is stopped from them. I will be supporting the Bill when it comes to Parliament."
1 week ago15:04 Christian Calgie
Rishi Sunak as unpopular as Corbyn the week before 2019 Election
A new poll from Ipsos has found that Rishi Sunak is as unpopular as Jeremy Corbyn was the week before the 2019 General Election.
A poll of voters placed Mr Sunak on a net popularity of -28, just two points higher than Mr Corbyn's -30, recorded on the 9th of December 2019 - days before he led Labour to its worst defeat since the 1930s.
The poll also placed the Tory party on -33 points - 30 points less popular than Labour on -3.
Sir Keir is also in negative territory, on -12.
Rishi Sunak's popularity has tumbled (Image: Ipsos MORI)
1 week ago14:59 Christian Calgie
One Nation Tory MPs largely happy
Amid rumours One Nation MPs might be getting cold feet over how harsh the Rwanda Bill is, one source from the centrist caucus denies this.
The MP said they were unaware of such complaints, but the group - like the ERG - is also consulting legal advice.
However One Nation ministers with legal backgrounds have already signalled their approval for the Bill, which has calmed nerves.
They said they are yet to hear of any One Nation MPs planning on voting against the Bill.
1 week ago13:43 Christian Calgie
Rwanda Bill won't pass before Christmas
It sounds like the Government's new Rwanda will won't pass into law before Christmas.
Speaking at Business Questions this lunchtime, Leader of the Commons Penny Mordaunt said the second reading will be next Tuesday, which will provide the first indication of whether Mr Sunak has enough Tory support to pass the bill.
Beyond Tuesday the timetable is unknown, through the Express understands the Government hopes for it to be back in the Commons very shortly after the Christmas recess.
Suella Braverman had demanded for the Bill to debated and passed before then, scrapping MPs' Christmas break if necessary to make it happen.
1 week ago12:47 Christian Calgie
ERG response to migrant bill will 'take a few days'
Mark Francois has said he and all of the ERG "agree with the PM what we need to stop the boats, but the legislation to do this must be assuredly fit for purpose".
"To that end I spoke with Sir Bill Cash, who confirmed his Star Chamber team are already analysing the Rwanda Bill in detail.
"This may still take a few days to complete, but he was confident their findings will be available, at the very latest, prior to the Second Reading Debate on Tuesday."
1 week ago12:27 Sam Stevenson
Tories mock Labour for having no clue on immigration
The Conservative Party's official X account has shared a gif from the film Pulp Fiction to mock Labour over its plans to end illegal immigration.
Labour\u2019s plan to end illegal migration: pic.twitter.com/TNvWOaZgL9
\u2014 Conservatives (@ Conservatives) December 7, 2023
1 week ago12:16 Sam Stevenson
Lord Sumption boosts Rishi Sunak
The former head of the Supreme Court has given his verdict on the Rwanda Bill.
Lord Sumption said: "The courts will do what they are told to do if they're told in sufficiently clear terms. And this bill is pretty clear."
\u2705 Lord Sumption's verdict on our new emergency laws to stop the boats:
"The courts will do what they are told to do if they're told in sufficiently clear terms. And this bill is pretty clear." pic.twitter.com/wA6zcH4eOT
\u2014 Conservatives (@ Conservatives) December 7, 2023
1 week ago11:58 Sam Stevenson
Number 10: 'Our patience has run out'
The official X account for the Prime Minister has warned the UK Parliament is sovereign, and it should be able to make decisions that cannot be undone in our courts.
We are a reasonable country, but our patience has now run out.
Our Parliament is sovereign, and it should be able to make decisions that cannot be undone in our courts.
That\u2019s what this emergency legislation delivers.
\u2014 UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) December 7, 2023
1 week ago11:31 David Maddox
Senior Tory describes PM as 'tetchy' over Downing Street press conference
A senior Tory has reacted to the PM's press conference: "If Rishi thinks that tetchy performance will subdue MPs on the right of the party he has another thing coming".
1 week ago11:24 Christian Calgie
Rishi Sunak tells warring Tory MPs to 'look at the facts'
The Prime Minister claimed his new Bill "fundamentally addresses" the concerns of the Supreme Court, during an emergency Downing Street press conference.
He said: "Today's Bill ends the merry-go-round of legal challenges that have blocked our policy for so long."
He went on to warn the Rwandans have made clear that if the Government went any further, the entire scheme would "collapse".
"I will not allow a foreign court to block these plans. It is your Government, not criminal gangs, or indeed foreign courts, who decide who comes here."
1 week ago11:23 David Maddox
PM described as 'weak' over refusal to treat Bill as confidence vote
A former Downing Street aide has reacted to Rishi Sunak saying he won't treat next week's vote on the migration Bill as a confidence vote:
"So next week's vote won't be treated as a confidence vote - weak, weak, weak."
1 week ago11:15 Martyn Brown
Senior Tory MP says PM has the numbers to get migration Bill through Parliament
A senior Tory MP has told the Express that the PM will have the numbers to get the Bill through parliament.
They described Robert Jenrick's resignation as "very strange".
"I don't get it at all. Very strange decision. It doesn't change things much. I would think getting the Bill through numbers-wise is ok but the ring around for whips this weekend will be interesting."
1 week ago11:13 Christian Calgie
Migration vote won't be treated as a confidence vote in the Government
Rishi Sunak has said next week's crunch migration vote on the new Rwanda deal won't be treated as a confidence vote in the Government, so won't spark an election if Mr Sunak loses the vote.
He also says MPs won't be booted out of the Tory Party if they rebel.
1 week ago11:08 Rob Virtue
Rishi Sunak addresses nation from No 10
The PM is defending his Rwanda plan in front on the press.
The PM has insisted his new Rwanda legislation "blocks every single reason that has ever been used to prevent flights'' and claimed going any further would mean "the entire scheme will collapse''.
He said the Government's new immigration law would "restore people's trust that the system is fair''. The Prime Minister said: "Today the Government has introduced the toughest anti-illegal immigration law ever. "I know that it will upset some people and you will hear a lot of criticism
1 week ago10:40 Christian Calgie
Lib Dems and Labour both demanding a general election
Both the Lib Dems and Labour are demanding a general election following the last 24 hour's immigration chaos within the Conservative Party.
The Lib Dems' Sir Ed Davey said the Tories "cannot govern themselves anymore, let alone this great country".
"The Prime Minister is completely out of touch, out of ideas and out of excuses. It’s time for a General Election to end this Conservative chaos now."
Multiple Labour MPs, including Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray, are also demanding an election now.
The Conservative Party is tearing itself apart while people suffer and the NHS is on its knees.
We need a General Election now before they do any further damage to our country.
\u2014 Ed Davey (@EdwardJDavey) December 7, 2023
1 week ago10:32 Christian Calgie
RESHUFFLE: Michael Tomlinson MP replaces Robert Jenrick
Rishi Sunak has appointed Michael Tomlinson MP as Robert Jenrick's replacement as Minister of State in the Home Office (Illegal Immigration).
He has also appointed a second Minister of State at the Home Office, for Legal Migration and Delivery. This role will be taken up by Tom Pursglove.
Robert Courts - who was elected as chairman of the Defence Select Committee just a month ago - has been appointed solicitor general to replace Mr Tomlinson.
Mr Tomlinson served as a deputy chairman of the ERG from November 2016 until March 2018.
Michael Tomlinson and Tom Pursglove (Image: Parliament / Creative Commons)
New immigration minister Tom Pursglove campaigning with Nigel Farage (Image: Getty)
1 week ago10:18 Christian Calgie
Rishi Sunak to hold press conference in one hour
Downing Street has announced the PM will hold a press conference at around 11am today around his new Rwanda legislation.
He will likely appeal to the nation and issue a last-ditch rallying cry for Tory MPs to unite behind him.
1 week ago09:22 David Maddox
Rwanda Bill could be a confidence vote in the government
Rishi Sunak is considering making the Rwanda Bill a confience vote in Parliament, government sources have told the BBC.
This would mean that if the government loses Mr Sunak could have to call an election.
However, more importantly it means that rebels who defy Mr Sunak will have the whip removed and potentially could be barred from running as Conservative candidates again.
Confidence votes called by the government attached to legislation is usually a final desperate move to ensure it gets passed if they think they do not have the numbers to win.
Labour and the SNP have already made it clear they will oppose the Rwanda Bill meaning that it would be defeated if more than 30 Tory MPs vote against it or a number also abstain.
1 week ago09:13 David Maddox
Respect for Jenrick
Tory MPs on the right are coming out in support of Robert Jenrick's decision to quit over the Rwanda Bill.
The former immigration minister's "principled" resignation appears to have come down well in the Red Wall seats in the north and midlands.
Dudley North MP Marco Longhi, who has not hidden his frustration with the government's failure to tackle legal and illegal immigration, Tweeted his backing for Jenrick this morning.
He reposted Mr Jenrick's resignation letter on X (formerly Twitter) with the comment: "A man I respect."
A man I respect. \ud83d\udc47 https://t.co/6GT0eXctJN
\u2014 Marco Longhi MP (@marcolonghi4dn) December 6, 2023
1 week ago09:07 Sam Stevenson
Suella Braverman rages Rishi Sunak's new Rwanda Bill is doomed to fail in BBC attack
Suella Braverman has warned Rishi Sunak that his latest attempt to tackle illegal migration “won’t work and it will not stop the boats”.
During an interview on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, she argued the Tories are now in a “very perilous situation”.
She said: “The facts don’t lie, and we need to deliver on a key promise, that’s how we will win the next general election.
“The time for talk, the time for slogans and promises is over. We need to show delivery and that's what this debate right now is all about.”
Suella Braverman rages Rishi Sunak's new Rwanda Bill is doomed to fail in BBC attack (Image: PA)
1 week ago08:56 Christian Calgie
Rishi Sunak accused of ignoring the will of the people by a Tory MP
Rishi Sunak is battling a Tory civil war after the publication of the Government's emergency legislation to get Rwanda flights off the ground triggered Robert Jenrick's resignation last night. The Prime Minister's last-ditch bid to implement his flagship illegal immigration policy has been met with scathing criticism from figures on the Tory Right.
It also followed a bombshell resignation statement in the House of Commons from former Home Secretary Suella Braverman who warned the Conservatives are standing on the brink of "electoral oblivion". Adam Holloway, a Tory member of the home affairs committee, said he agreed with Mrs Braverman as he appeared to accuse Mr Sunak of blocking the “will of the British people” over illegal immigration.
He told Times Radio: “You know, the people who provide that oblivion, and I understand why they would do it, should think very carefully, too about what they wish for. Because do we honestly think that Labour would be any better? I mean, it’s a council of despair, actually. What on earth are we doing?”
He added: “[If] you feel you have to resign because the Government and the civil servants don’t seem to agree with you, or your view on what needs to be done in order to exert the will of the British people… It’s pretty worrying, isn’t it?”
1 week ago08:54 Sam Stevenson
Poll: Who should replace Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister?
Rishi Sunak is set for a nervous weekend as Conservative MPs decide whether to ask for a vote of confidence in his leadership.
But if he is forced out who should replace him?
VOTE IN OUR ONLINE READER POLL
1 week ago08:49 Georgina Laud
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1 week ago08:46 Georgina Laud
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1 week ago08:23 Christian Calgie
Suella Braverman denies Tories have a ‘death wish’
Asked whether the Conservative Party has a “death wish” following her stark Commons warning yesterday, Suella Braverman said: “not at all”.
Speaking on Radio 4, Ms Braverman said the Tories are “fighting to stop the boats, stabilise the economy and deliver for the British people”.
“No we don’t have a death wish, we need to stop the boats, and at the moment we are at a very perilous situation.”
She said the time for talk and slogans “is over, we need to show delivery”.
Ms Braverman said there are elements of the Bill that should be welcomed, but as a whole it “won’t work and won’t stop the boats”.
She argued the Bill allows individuals to make a “raft of claims” against deportations, and will be able to take those appeals through the courts.
"The reality is and the solid truth is that it won't work and it will not stop the boats."
1 week ago08:17 David Maddox
All eyes on Sir Bill Cash and the Star Chamber
Tory MPs in the rightwing Common Sense Group, New Conservatives and European Research Group met for drinks last night after Robert Jenrick's resignation.
Sources at the event told Express.co.uk that the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will have "a nervous weekend" as MPs in the groups decide what to do.
One said: "There was a mixed response, many want to put in letters (for a leadership vote of confidence) now, but others want to wait for Sir Bill Cash and his star chamber of lawyers to report back."
The groups have asked Sir Bill and his group of constitutional lawyers to decide if the Rwanda emergency legislation meets their demands.
One MP said: "I don't know why colleagues are waiting now Robert [Jenrick] has resigned."
But another said: "This was the whole idea of Sir Bill's star chamber. Colleagues will make up their minds early next week."
1 week ago08:06 Christian Calgie
Labour will vote against the Rwanda Bill
Labour has said they will vote against the Rwanda Bill, giving Rishi Sunak very little room for manoeuvre when it comes to the number of Tory rebels.
With a Government majority of 56, around 30 rebels could scupper the new flagship legislation.
Labour's Pat McFadden confirmed the party will vote against the Bill.
Wes Streeting tweeted: "Just arrived back in the UK after a long flight from Singapore".
"The Conservative Party has completely lost the plot."
1 week ago08:02 Christian Calgie
Cabinet minister claims 'highly unlikely' Rishi Sunak will face confidence vote
Northern Ireland secretary Christ Heaton-Harris has said it's "highly unlikely" that there will be a vote of confidence in Rishi Sunak's leadership of the Tory Party, and downplayed rumours the Government will treat the forthcoming vote on its new Rwanda legislation as a confidence vote.
Mr Heaton-Harris denied the bill is "dead on arrival" following Robert Jenrick's resignation.
On Mr Jenrick's departure, he argued: "I don't think it's as big a story as is being made".
"I don't like anybody resigning from my party, but when I was Boris Johnson's chief whip... pretty much everyone did. Maybe I have a scale of proportion that others don't have."
Cabinet Minister denies Rwanda legislation is 'dead on arrival'
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1 week ago07:54 Sam Stevenson
Good morning
Hello from Westminster where our political team will bring you all the latest developments on what promises to be another day of high drama.
Please refresh the page for regular updates as we get them.
Related articles Suella Braverman warns Tories face 'electoral oblivion' in bombshell statement Robert Jenrick quits as immigration minister over Rwanda Robert Jenrick's full resignation letter as immigration minister quits
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