Mia Boykin
In a significant policy shift, Britain’s newly elected Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced the immediate termination of the controversial Rwanda asylum plan. This decision, made in his first major policy announcement since securing a landslide victory, marks a stark departure from the previous Conservative government’s approach to immigration.
The Rwanda plan, first introduced in 2022, aimed to fly thousands of asylum seekers who illegally immigrated to Britain back home to the East African nation. The previous government, led by the Rushi Sunak and the Conservative party, had touted this policy as a solution to end the influx of asylum seekers arriving on small boats across the English Channel. However, the plan faced numerous legal challenges and criticisms from human rights organizations, resulting in no deportations actually taking place.
Prime Minister Starmer, addressed reporters at his first press conference in Downing Street on July 6, stating, “The Rwanda scheme was dead and buried before it started. It’s never been a deterrent.” He emphasized that only about 1% of asylum seekers would have been removed under the plan, rendering it ineffective as a deterrent. “I’m not prepared to continue with gimmicks that don’t act as a deterrent,” Starmer added, signaling a new approach to immigration policy.
The scrapping of the Rwanda plan fulfills one of Labour’s key campaign promises. Throughout the election campaign, Starmer and his party had consistently criticized the policy as an expensive and ineffective measure. The Labour leader had previously described it as a “farce,” pointing out the high costs involved and the lack of tangible results.
Impact on Rwanda’s and the UK’s Relationship
The decision to abandon the Rwanda plan raises questions about the financial implications for the UK government. Reports indicate that by the end of 2023, the UK had already transferred approximately £220 million ($282 million) to Rwanda as part of the agreement. The new government is now exploring options to recover some of these funds, with plans to redirect any recouped money towards establishing a new Border Security Command to address small boat crossings.
However, the process of recovering these funds may prove challenging. Alain Mukuralinda, a Rwandan government spokesperson, has stated that refunding the money was not part of the original agreement. This stance potentially sets the stage for complex negotiations between the two countries.
Human Rights Considerations
The Rwanda plan had faced significant legal hurdles even before its implementation. In November, the UK Supreme Court declared the policy unlawful, stating that Rwanda could not be considered a safe third country. This ruling prompted the previous government to sign a new treaty with Rwanda and pass legislation to override the court’s decision, a move that was being challenged in the courts by various charities and unions.
Human rights organizations have welcomed Starmer’s decision to scrap the plan. Sonya Sceats, CEO of Freedom from Torture, applauded the move, stating, “We applaud Keir Starmer for moving immediately to close the door on this shameful scheme that played politics with the lives of people fleeing torture and persecution.”
New Immigration Measures
While scrapping the Rwanda plan, Starmer has outlined alternative measures to address immigration challenges. His government plans to create a Border Security Command, bringing together staff from the police, domestic intelligence agencies, and prosecutors to work with international agencies to combat people smuggling.
This approach aligns with Labour’s campaign promise to tackle immigration issues through more comprehensive and collaborative methods, focusing on addressing the root causes of irregular migration and enhancing border security through international cooperation.
What happens next?
As Starmer takes the helm with one of the largest parliamentary majorities in modern British history, he faces numerous challenges beyond immigration. The new Prime Minister has acknowledged the need to make tough decisions early in his tenure, particularly in areas such as addressing the overstretched prison system and reducing waiting times in the National Health Service.
When pressed on specific plans and potential tax increases, Starmer emphasized a commitment to “raw honesty” in tackling the nation’s problems. He announced the creation of “mission delivery boards” that he would personally chair, focusing on priority areas such as healthcare and economic growth.
This is an ongoing story, as tensions seem to be rising between the Rwandan government and the UK’s new leadership over the refund deal. Questions are being raised about what will be done over the next few weeks to reconcile the relationship and what can be done to best help the asylum seekers.
