As the final day of Commons debates and votes begin on the Government’s landmark Rwanda Bill, Tory MPs who rebelled last night have been called on not to cave into the pressure ahead of tonight’s big vote.
60 Tory MPs broke with the Government whip last night to back hardline amendments to the Bill, that would have disapplied international human rights laws in the aim of deporting migrants to Rwanda.
While the evening’s drama saw three Tory MPs lose their jobs – including Lee Anderson – this evening’s so-called ‘Third Reading Vote’ is expected to be less exciting.
The Government is hoping to peel away rebels, either persuading those who rebelled last night to now vote with the Prime Minister or at least abstain.
Amid the pressure, the grassroots Conservative Democratic Organisation has published a letter demanding the 60 rebels “continue showing backbone”.
The organisation heaps praise on those who rebelled last night, and recognised “the Rwanda Bill as it stands won’t work and needs amendments”.
“You are one of just 60 MPs who are the true voice of the British people. Please continue showing backbone.
“There is no point passing yet another law that doesn’t work. We need you to vote against the bill now so we can introduce a new one that does the job.
“Now is not the time to sit on the fence or abstain. We need your voice to be heard on our behalf. It’s time for real action on illegal migration.”
While the exact outcome of tonight’s crucial Third Reading vote remains unknown, certain Tory MPs have already been peeled away from the rebellion and are set to back Rishi Sunak.
The Government’s immigration minister has suggested civil servants could be forced to obey ministers and ignore ECHR court rulings blocking deportations, via a change to the civil service code.
However, a senior Tory rebel source said the latest proposal “is a distraction tactic. A put-up job to say ‘Look over there!’ And blame the civil servants”.
“We need to legislate to sort the problem.”
According to the Telegraph, four Tories who broke rank last night have already agreed to return to the fold:
- Laurence Robertson (Tewksbury)
- Greg Smith (Buckingham)
- Sir Michael Fabricant (Litchfield)
- Henry Smith (Crawley)
While Lee Anderson is yet to confirm how he plans on voting, the Express understands he told colleagues last night he plans on rejecting the third reading vote. Some of the most prominent rebels have already pledged to vote against the key Bill.
This afternoon co-chairs of the New Conservative faction, Miriam Cates and Danny Kruger, said they will be voting against “unless the Government comes forward with a commitment to amending the bill in line with our proposals”.
They encourage fellow New Conservative members to “join us” in the No Lobby.
Sir Simon Clarke has also said he will vote against the third reading “because I do not believe it will deliver”.
“The Government’s own assessment is that the Bill has a 50:50 chance of success. I respectfully submit that this is nowhere near good enough. This is our third attempt to deliver this policy and we are once again acting with one hand tied behind our backs.”
