Rishi Sunak today celebrated a vote of confidence in his Rwanda migrant plan after European politicians pledged to launch their own copycat projects.
The prime minister praised foreign parties for “following our lead” and finally “recognizing that meaningful deterrence is the only way to stop the boats.”
Britain has spent years battling European agencies for the right to deport illegal migrants.
But today, even Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, supports a policy of deporting people to third countries for asylum treatment.
In its program for the European elections in June, Ms Von der Leyen’s European People’s Party (EPP) calls for “a fundamental change in European law on asylum”.
Rishi Sunak today celebrated a vote of confidence in his Rwanda migrant plan after European politicians pledged to launch their own copycat projects.
Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, has supported a policy of deporting people to third countries for asylum processing.
Mr Sunak says: ‘If Keir Starmer wants to be seen as a moderate observer when it comes to our border security, he will soon learn the consequences’
The EPP group, the largest in the European Parliament, has pledged: “We want to implement the concept of safe third countries. Anyone seeking asylum in the EU could also be transferred to a safe third country and follow the asylum procedure there.
Writing in today’s Mail on Sunday, a delighted Mr Sunak said: ‘I said when I became Prime Minister that others would recognize that a meaningful deterrent was the only way to stop the boats and now even the main EU parties are following our example. ‘
The prime minister, whose bill allowing the expulsion of illegal migrants to Rwanda was passed by parliament last week, promised he would not allow lawyers to use the European Convention on Human Rights man to block these projects, saying they were “more important”. as “membership of a foreign court”.
Senior conservatives have urged him to reform the convention, or abandon it altogether, if it is used to block fights.
Mr Sunak makes the remarks ahead of Thursday’s crucial local elections which could determine his fate as leader.
With the party expected to suffer heavy losses, Tory MPs are considering whether to install a replacement such as Commons leader Penny Mordaunt through a “coronation”.
The defeat of the Conservative mayors of Teesside and the West Midlands, who hold large majorities, could trigger a coup.
Morale has been lifted in a besieged Downing Street by two weeks of more positive news for the Prime Minister.
In his MoS article, Mr Sunak says: “I want a welfare system that is fair to the taxpayers who have to fund it. I want to stop the boats because it is neither fair nor right that people can simply arrive on our shores illegally and then stay there” (photo: a migrant dinghy in the English Channel on Friday)
With the party expected to suffer heavy losses, Tory MPs are considering whether to install a replacement such as Commons leader Penny Mordaunt through a “coronation”.
Last week, Irish Deputy Prime Minister Micheal Martin backdoored the policy, saying people “fearful” of remaining in the UK were crossing the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic to avoid being sent to Rwanda.
As well as the Rwanda bill, Mr Sunak also assuaged some of his critics by saying defense spending would increase by up to 2.5 per cent of GDP and announcing a crackdown on welfare claimants.
The burst of activity has led some lawmakers to speculate that he could call a snap general election this week, in part to suppress Thursday’s results.
In his MoS article, Mr Sunak says: “I want a welfare system that is fair to the taxpayers who have to fund it.
“I want to stop the boats because it is not fair or just that people can just come to our shores illegally and then be able to stay there.
“And I want us to be safe in an increasingly dangerous world, which is why I will support our military so we can defend our interests, defend our values and deter our enemies.” The Rwanda Security Law, which aims to avoid further legal challenges to the policy by declaring Rwanda a safe country, was passed on Thursday.
Mr Sunak said: “We have finally overcome opposition from the Labor Party and passed our Rwanda Bill.
“We have prepared for this moment so that we can immediately begin the process of evacuating people for the first flight.
“But it’s not just one theft. Under this government we will permanently deport people to Rwanda at a steady pace of several flights each month until the boats are stopped and we have truly broken the business model of criminal gangs who exploit vulnerable people and put their life in danger. ‘
After welcoming the EPP’s commitment, Mr Sunak said: “If Britain gains a global reputation for being tough on illegal immigration, I will be very happy with that. This is the right thing for our country.
“If Keir Starmer wants to be seen as soft on our border security, he will soon learn the consequences.”
Mr Sunak had initially set a target for flights to Rwanda to take off by spring, but now says this should happen within ten to 12 weeks.
Last week, Irish Deputy Prime Minister Micheal Martin backhandedly endorsed the policy, saying people “fearful” of remaining in the UK were crossing the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic to avoid being sent to Rwanda.
Last September, Von der Leyen visited a migrant reception center on the Italian island of Lampedusa, after the country’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, called for EU help with migrant arrivals. small boats, saying Italy was under “unsustainable pressure”. Ms Von der Leyen acknowledged that the issue was “a European challenge and requires a European response”.
If she gets another term as president, she is expected to finalize deals with neighboring states in North Africa and the Middle East to slow the influx of migrants.
So far, the EU has signed deals with Tunisia, Mauritania and Egypt, which are limited to paying countries to do more to control migration.
In its manifesto, the EPP states: “We are committed to the fundamental right to asylum, but the EU, together with its member states, must have the right to decide to whom and where this right is granted.
Mr Sunak had initially set a target for flights to Rwanda to take off by spring, but now says this should happen within ten to 12 weeks (pictured: migrants near Dunkirk on Friday)
Last September, Ms Von der Leyen visited a reception center for migrants on the Italian island of Lampedusa (photo)
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for EU help with small boat arrivals, saying Italy was under “unsustainable pressure”.
“We will conclude agreements with third countries to ensure that asylum seekers can also benefit from protection in a civilized and safe manner. We want to implement the concept of safe third countries.
“Anyone seeking asylum in the EU could also be transferred to a safe third country and follow the asylum procedure there.
“In the event of a positive result, the safe third country will grant protection to the applicant on site. A global contractual agreement will be established with the safe third country.
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