Britain’s immigration minister resigned on Wednesday evening because he had “deep disagreements” with the policy of sending migrants to Rwanda. Project that the right wing of the conservatives considers to be insufficiently strict.
Published on: July 12, 2023 – 00:58
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With our correspondent in London, Emeline Vin
In his resignation letter, Robert Jenrick highlights “profound disagreements with the government’s direction on immigration,” specifically his portfolio for a year. “I cannot remain in office if I deeply disagree with the direction of the government’s immigration policy,” wrote this long-time ally of Rishi Sunak, “not going far enough.”
It is with great sadness that I have written to the Prime Minister to tender my resignation as Immigration Minister.
I cannot continue in my position when I have such strong disagreements with the direction of the Government’s immigration policy. pic.twitter.com/Zg3ezFJr8t
— Robert Jenrick (@RobertJenrick) December 6, 2023
A few hours earlier, Downing Street had published a bill that would allow the asylum system to be relocated to Rwanda. The courts declared this policy illegal, but the text would allow the government to legally consider Rwanda a safe country and thereby ignore its human rights obligations.
For the resigning minister and the entire right wing of the ruling Conservative Party, this emergency law does not go far enough: the hard wing was hoping for a withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights.
Robert Jenrick’s departure suggests a party revolt during the as-yet-unscheduled vote on the legislation. If defeated, it would be a major blow to Rishi Sunak’s authority, less than a year before the next election and despite his promises to reduce illegal immigration.
The prime minister responded in a letter saying his departure was “disappointing” and also feared it was “based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the situation.”
Also read: Rwanda and the UK sign a new immigration agreement