Tory MPs divided as Rishi Sunak faces crucial Rwanda vote

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is facing a challenge to gain support from Conservative MPs for his flagship Rwanda bill, which will be voted on Tuesday. The bill aims to revive the government's plan to send certain asylum seekers to Rwanda. Right-wing MPs have expressed concerns that the bill is not comprehensive enough and that it will not be effective in its current form. However, centrist MPs have warned against making changes that would violate international law. Former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace urged Tory MPs not to reject the bill, stating that it is a step towards addressing the asylum seeker issue. The Safety of Rwanda Bill is set to undergo its second reading in Parliament on Tuesday, where MPs will discuss and vote on the main principles of the bill. The bill is crucial to the government's strategy of deterring migrants from crossing the English Channel. Any rebellion by Tory MPs could undermine the Rwanda plan and weaken the prime minister's authority. The New Conservatives group on the right of the party has called for significant amendments to the bill, while the influential European Research Group has demanded that the government revise it to address legal challenges. On the other hand, the centrist One Nation group of Conservative MPs has recommended voting for the bill at this stage, with the condition that it does not violate the rule of law and international obligations. While it is uncommon for a bill to be defeated at its first Commons hurdle, opposition parties have already pledged to vote against it. Some critics of the bill may choose to let it pass in the hope of securing concessions from the government later on. However, some MPs who initially intended to back the bill are now less optimistic about the possibility of amending it in the future. If there are enough rebels to defeat the bill, it would have significant political implications for Sunak, possibly triggering a leadership election or even a general election. The emergency legislation was introduced following a Supreme Court ruling that deemed the Rwanda policy unlawful. Critics argue that the bill is still vulnerable to legal challenges and that it may cause delays in the court system. The government has published a summary of its own legal advice on the scheme in an effort to address these concerns. Downing Street remains confident in the bill's strength and aims to listen to the views of MPs.