Ben Bradley MP has brandished this morning’s Supreme Court ruling on the Rwanda Plan as ‘completely tone deaf'. The Rwanda Plan, announced in April 2022, involved sending migrants arriving illegally via the English Channel and attempting to claim asylum to Rwanda in order to have their asylum claim processed there.
This plan was designed to deter individuals from making the dangerous journey across the English Channel and was part of the government’s multi-faceted approach to stopping the channel crossings and tackling illegal immigration. This approach included the Rwanda Plan and legislative changes, such as the Illegal Migration Bill which became law on the 20th July 2023.
Ben has been clear, both in Parliament and the wider media, on his desire to see the channel crossings stopped and illegal immigration addressed. This includes, utilising his unique position as leader of a local authority, Nottinghamshire County Council, to highlight the impact these crossings were having on local government finances. Ben has also put concerns that constituents have raised with him on this issue to the government in Parliament and in private meetings with officials, particularly around the fairness of illegal immigrants coming via the channel and staying in hotels.
In response to this ruling, the Prime Minister announced during his press conference that emergency legislation will now be brought to Parliament in the coming weeks and a new treaty will be negotiated with Rwanda. This emergency legislation and new treaty will address the legal issues raised during the Supreme Court case, setting the Rwanda Scheme up and running as well as streamlining the process of removals.
Commenting, Ben Bradley stated:
‘The judgement of the Supreme Court this morning on the Rwanda Plan is absolutely tone deaf.’
‘The public have consistently demanded and voted for tough measures against illegal migration, again and again. Other countries are pursuing similar 'third party' deportation schemes, and polling shows it's supported by the majority of the public. Tackling illegal immigration is the absolute top priority for people in Mansfield, I know this just from the amount of emails my office receives on the subject
‘The idea that Rwanda is 'not safe' for migrants but is fine for us to encourage Brits to go there on holiday is nonsensical. We have to find a way to deliver these and other tough measures, whether that's by leaving the ECHR, further legal changes in Parliament, or frankly by just doing it anyway and facing the consequences.’
‘I welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement of coming emergency legislation and a new treaty with Rwanda to address the legal issues raised during the Supreme Court case. I will be voting for any legislation brought forward that helps to finally stop the boats and streamline our removals process. I look forward to seeing the detail of the emergency legislation that the Prime Minister announced today.’
