The long-standing legislative logjam in Britain over the proposal to end the tide of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats was finally broken when the unelected House of Lords dropped its proposed amendments. This move allowed the bill to become law, despite opposition from human rights activists who have vowed to continue fighting against it. The government plans to begin deportation flights to Rwanda as a deterrent to migrants who enter the UK illegally.
The approval of the legislation marked a significant victory for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who has staked his political future on stopping the boat crossings. He has made a pledge to “stop the boats” a key part of his pitch to voters, as opinion polls show his Conservative Party trailing behind the Labour Party ahead of a general election later this year. The local elections taking place next week are seen as an indicator of how the parties may fare in the general election.
The debate over the legislation comes at a time when countries across Western Europe and North America are grappling with ways to manage the rising number of migrants fleeing war, climate change, and political oppression. In Britain, small boat crossings have become a contentious political issue, viewed as a symbol of the government’s failure to control immigration. The number of migrants arriving on small boats has significantly increased in recent years.
Despite Parliament’s approval of the bill, there may still be further legal challenges that could delay the deportation flights. Politics professor Tim Bale suggests that there will likely be attempts to legally block the deportations. Sunak, however, remains determined to move forward with the deportation flights, even suggesting that the government is prepared to ignore the European Court of Human Rights if necessary.
While Sunak has admitted that the first deportation flights will not meet his original deadline, he has blamed the delays on opposition from the Labour Party. He announced that the first flights are expected to take off within the next 10-12 weeks, without providing specifics on the number of people to be deported or the exact timing of the flights. The government has made preparations for the bill’s approval, including chartering planes, increasing detention space, and hiring more immigration caseworkers.
Overall, the approval of the legislation to end small boat crossings in the English Channel represents a critical step for the British government in addressing the issue of illegal migration. Despite potential legal challenges and continued opposition, Sunak and his government remain committed to implementing the deportation flights as part of their strategy to deter illegal immigration. The outcome of this issue will likely have significant implications for the upcoming elections and the future of immigration policy in the UK.
