Lords slammed over plan to thwart Rwanda scheme
Lib Dem Lords have been branded “shameless” over a plot to thwart key Rwanda legislation next week.
The party’s 80 peers plan to defy convention by voting against the Safety of Rwanda bill at its second reading on Monday.
Ministers believe the bill to declare Rwanda a safe country is crucial to getting flights off the ground to Kigali
But in a highly unusual move, Lord Mike German has tabled a “fatal motion” that would kill off the government’s legislation.
It claims Rishi Sunak’s deportation plan risks breaching the UK’s international law commitments and will lead to “substantial costs” to the taxpayer.
Tory MPs blasted the Lib Dem’s protest for frustrating the bill’s progression.
Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party Jack Lopresti said: “This is nothing but a shameless publicity stunt.
“Their attempts to frustrate the will of the people make clear that the Liberal Democrats are firmly on the side of the criminal gangs, not the British people. The public should know they are not a serious political party.”
Marco Longhi, MP for Dudley North, said: “The attempt by Lib Dem Lords to undermine the Safety of Rwanda bill not only disregards public will but highlights an out-of-touch approach.
“We’re tired of unelected figures throwing roadblocks; it’s time for accountable actions.”
And former Brexit Party MEP Baroness Claire Fox added: “Every time voters are told a particular piece of legislation can’t be passed because unelected bodies are standing in its way – whether that’s the European Court of Human Rights, the Supreme Court or the Lords – it undermines the whole point of democracy.
“The 2019 election and the 2016 EU referendum were about British voters having control over law making.”
However, the Lib Dem blocking bid is destined to fail without support from Labour peers who are planning to stick to the convention known as Salisbury-Addison.
Bishops will not back the Lib Dems but some are working on amendments to water down the legislation, the Sun on Sunday understands.
It comes after the government was defeated in the Lords earlier this week over a motion to delay ratifying a new treaty with Rwanda until safeguards have been implemented.
Peers voted by 214 votes to 171, a majority of 43, in favour of calls for protections to be introduced before flights take off.
But the PM managed to see off a Commons’ rebellion by right-wing Tory MPs who want the plan to be toughened up.
Mr Sunak has recently warned Lords not to “frustrate the will of the people”.
Traditionally, opposition parties don’t vote against government bills at second reading in the Lords, but instead move amendments at committee stage which are then voted on at report stage.
The Lib Dems argue that because the Rwanda policy was not in the Conservative general election manifesto the convention does not apply.
Their leader in the Lords Dick Newby said: “The Rwanda Bill do nothing to tackle the asylum backlog or provide a sustainable solution to small boat crossings. All it will achieve is burning a hole in the taxpayers’ pocket.
“This is from a Conservative government that has proven to be incapable of holding the economy or even its own party together.”