TORY right-wingers today issue a direct challenge to Rishi Sunak — warning if the Rwanda plan is too weak and fails it will kill the party.
In a major blow to the Prime Minister, the “star chamber” of Tory lawyers from the right of the party rejected his plan as not “watertight”.
Tory right-wingers issue a direct challenge to Rishi Sunak — warning if the Rwanda plan is too weak and fails it will kill the partyPA
AFPMr Sunak vowed to ‘push on with our plan to stop the boats’[/caption]
Earlier this week, the PM told backbenchers they must “unite or die” as he said there was no other option but to back his Rwanda Bill.
But in comments that will strike fear into No 10, Tory rising stars Danny Kruger and Miriam Cates warned there are “big question marks over the bill”.
Writing in today’s Sun on Sunday, the co-founders of the influential New Conservatives group said: “The Prime Minister was right when he told us we must ‘unite or die’. We need to come together and fight the real enemy — Labour.”
But they added: “There’s no point uniting around a policy that doesn’t work. That way we’ll just unite and die.
“We must keep our promise to the public to stop the boats. The alternative is the unity of the tomb.”
The leading Tories did not say how they plan to vote on the bill.
But their hard- hitting warning came as the influential star chamber — which is advising the New Conservatives — came out against the PM’s plan.
Tory veteran Sir Bill Cash, chairman of the chamber, warned it is not “watertight”.
Writing in The Sunday Telegraph, he said: “Our report, I hope, will be helpful to the Government in deciding whether the bill in its current form is fit for purpose or will require further amendment.”
The verdict plunges the PM’s Rwanda plans into utter turmoil.
Many Tory MPs were waiting for the panel’s advice before deciding whether to back the bill as it stands, or not.
Nearly all Conservative MPs are expected to back the bill at the first vote — known as second reading — on Tuesday.
But the panel’s gloomy verdict will be a lightning rod for Tory rightwing opposition, who are now expected to try to amend the bill.
Meanwhile, the One Nation group of Tory moderates are meeting tomorrow to deliver their verdict.
Home Secretary James Cleverly issued a plea for unity as he urged warring factions to back the bill.
Also writing in today’s Sun on Sunday, he said: “Illegal immigration is unsafe, unfair, and unsustainable. The British people are fed up with it.
“It’s been just weeks since the Supreme Court verdict, and we have a new treaty with Rwanda and a bill to move us forward on the work the British people want to see done. I’d urge my colleagues to seize this moment.”
Meanwhile, Mr Sunak vowed to “push on with our plan to stop the boats”.
He said: “This week we will take a significant step towards securing our borders, thwarting the smuggling gangs and ending illegal migration.”
Some Tory right-wingers are backing the bill, and urging others to do so too.
MPs James Daly, in the New Conservatives, and Philip Davies are throwing their weight behind it. Writing for the ConHome website, they said: “The rapid, and tough, action being taken by the Government is a step in the right direction.
“We need to get behind it, pass the legislation and deliver on this absolute priority for the British people.”
Mr Sunak now faces the biggest crisis of his premiership so far, as he battles to convince his mutinous MPs that it would be madness to vote down his flagship border plan.
But some Tory MPs are determined to kill the bill. Others also want to topple Rishi from No10.
One Tory source said they expect to eventually defeat the bill.
They said: “It is done. We have the numbers. It is wipeout territory.”
A Tory MP said: “Some MPs just have the knives out for Rishi, and will not be happy until he is ousted.”
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Reform UK’s Richard Tice said after ex-Ukip boss Farage finishes I’m A Celebrity, inset, Rishi Sunak faces a “far bigger threat” at the next election from him than from the “nest of vipers” in the Tory party.
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