Rebel Tory MPs fold and prepare to back Rwanda Bill in massive victory for Rishi Sunak
Most rebel Tory MPs on the right of the party have decided to back Rishi Sunak's Rwanda Bill after failing to toughen it up, sources have said.
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Tory MPs in the powerful groups on the right of the party known as "the five families" have "mostly agreed" to back Rishi Sunak's Rwanda Bill after he offered a compromise.
A source from the European Research Group (ERG), one of the five groups of MPs on the right who have been pushing for toughening up the Bill, told Express.co.uk: "There were no good options. We either voted it down and got blamed for no flights to Rwanda or allow it to go through.
"By allowing it to go through we can blame the government and wets (left of the party) if the flights don't happen as a result of a Bill that does not work."
The conclusion came at a ast minute 5pm meeting to decide the fate of the Rwanda Bill and possibly the career of the Prime Minister.
MPs on the Right have warned that the Bill currently is too soft and are giving Mr Sunak a final chance to compromise after 60 of them rebelled last night on an amendment laid down by former Home Office minister Robert Jenrick, who resigned over concerns about the legislation.
At ast 28 rebels would need to join Labour and the SNP to vote down the Bill.
But one member of the New Conservatives, another one of the five groups, said: "Colleagues are very reluctant to join Labour in the lobbies."
A defeat on flagship legislation could also trigger a vote of confidence in the Prime Minister's leadership.
A rebel Tory source said: "Colleagues have different views at the moment we will try to reach a consensus before the vote but it is incumbent on the government to listen and compromise."
A late compromise on the so-called "rule 39" would allow the Attorney General to offer advice to allow civil servants to overrule international law.
It comes as campaigners have called on the 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”.
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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.”