Immigration Policy and COVID-19 Response Under Scrutiny
Twin pressures put Sunak’s authority and record at stake
U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is facing a challenging week as restive lawmakers rebel against his signature immigration policy and tough questions arise about his judgment during the COVID-19 pandemic. This week is shaping up to be one of the toughest in Sunak’s 13 months in office.
Immigration Plan Faces Vote in House of Commons
Conservative lawmakers pick holes in the bill
Legislation meant to salvage Sunak’s blocked plan to send asylum-seekers to Rwanda faces a vote in the House of Commons on Tuesday. Disparate groups of Conservative lawmakers gathered in Parliament to question the bill’s effectiveness. Meanwhile, Sunak was under a six-hour grilling at the U.K.’s pandemic inquiry, where he defended his actions and denied taking risks with public health.
Controversial “Eat Out to Help Out” Program
Scientists linked the program to a rise in COVID-19 infections
Sunak, who served as Treasury chief to Prime Minister Boris Johnson during the pandemic, faced questions about the government’s “Eat Out to Help Out” program. Scientific advisers claim they were not informed in advance about the initiative, which led to a surge in infections. Sunak denied any clash between public health and economics, emphasizing that ultimate decisions were made by the prime minister.
Apologies and Missing WhatsApp Messages
Apologies for pandemic hardships, but crucial messages lost
During his testimony, Sunak expressed apologies to those who suffered during the pandemic but claimed that crucial WhatsApp messages from the time had been lost due to phone changes. This comes as Prime Minister Johnson also faced difficulties retrieving messages from key months in 2020.
Rwanda Immigration Plan in Jeopardy
Supreme Court ruled the plan illegal
Sunak is battling to save his plan to send asylum-seekers to Rwanda, a crucial part of his commitment to curbing unauthorized migration. The plan has already cost the government millions of pounds, but the U.K. Supreme Court ruled it illegal, citing safety concerns for refugees. In response, Britain and Rwanda signed a treaty to strengthen protections for migrants. Sunak’s government argues that the treaty allows them to pass a law declaring Rwanda a safe destination, regardless of the Supreme Court ruling.
Opposition and Calls for Change
Concerns about sidelining courts and incomplete solution
The proposed legislation faces opposition from centrist Conservative lawmakers who worry about bypassing the courts. Legislators from the party’s authoritarian wing also criticize the bill for not being strong enough. If the bill passes, more votes and debates in Parliament await. Defeat would not only jeopardize the Rwanda plan but also threaten Sunak’s leadership.
The Future of Sunak’s Leadership
Conservative divisions and potential for a no-confidence vote
Sunak sees delivering on his promise to “stop the boats” as a way to close the opinion-poll gap with the opposition Labour Party before the upcoming election. However, some Tory lawmakers believe he is destined to fail and are contemplating a change in leadership. Party rules dictate that if 53 lawmakers, 15% of the Conservative total, call for a no-confidence vote, Sunak will face one. Some argue that removing yet another prime minister without a national election would be disastrous. Leading Conservative moderate Damian Green criticized those who support a change in leadership as “mad, or malicious, or both.”
