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UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is confronting internal dissent from senior members of his own Conservative Party regarding his contentious proposal to implement a one-way journey for asylum-seekers to Rwanda. This polarizing and costly policy, a focal point of Sunak's strategy for the upcoming election, has become a source of tension within the party.
Sunak's ambition to secure victory in the looming election hinges on uniting his party, which currently lags significantly behind the Labour opposition in opinion polls. However, the Conservative Party, traditionally a coalition of liberal and authoritarian factions, is experiencing internal strife over the Rwanda plan. Moderates express concerns about the extremity of the policy, while influential figures on the right wing deem it insufficiently robust.
In a significant setback for Sunak, two deputy chairmen of the Conservative Party, Lee Anderson and Brendan Clarke-Smith, have declared their intention to vote in favor of amendments that seek to strengthen the government's flagship Safety of Rwanda Bill. These amendments aim to limit asylum-seekers' avenues for appealing against deportation to Rwanda.
The dissent within the Conservative ranks highlights the delicate balancing act Sunak must perform to rally support within his party. As the debate unfolds in the House of Commons on Tuesday, the outcome will not only impact the fate of the controversial Rwanda plan but will also play a crucial role in shaping the dynamics of the Conservative Party ahead of the upcoming electoral contest.
