No 10 tries to quell Tory backlash after Home Secretary comments on Rwanda

Home Secretary James Cleverley said Rwanda's plan was not the «be all and end all»; migration issues Photo: Frank Augstein/AP

Downing Street has taken steps to quell a Conservative backlash over the new home secretary's warning that people should not «get hung up» on the government's flagship migration scheme in Rwanda.

The source also said Mr Sunak made it «crystal clear» earlier this month that «he will not allow a foreign court to block flights», repeating the Prime Minister's coded warning about the possibility of the European Court of Human Rights intervening to halt the flights.

The intervention comes amid fury among some Conservatives over a newspaper interview in which James Cleverley said he was disappointed that the government had «allowed a narrative to be created» that the Rwanda scheme «was the only one and put an end to it» .

Mr Cleverley, who replaced Suella Braverman in a reshuffle this month, also told The Times that leaving the European Convention on Human Rights would jeopardize «key cooperation» with countries such as France, Albania and Bulgaria, which have helped reduce illegal migration.

Warning against 'exaggeration'

In remarks that particularly angered some of his colleagues, he also warned against «exaggeration» in discussions about overall migration levels.

Earlier this month, Mr Sunak announced: «Emergency legislation to circumvent a unanimous Supreme Court decision that the plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda was unlawful, but no such legislation has yet been published.»

David Jones, deputy chairman of the European MPs' Study Group, warned the decision «needs to be responded to decisively.»

Mr Sunak has deliberately left open the possibility of a permanent withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights. if there is no other way to legally run the scheme.

Many Tory MPs, particularly those in Red Wall seats, are concerned there will be a serious public backlash if the party fails to deliver on Mr Sunak's pledge to stem the flow of boats carrying migrants across the English Channel.

Last week, official data showed that net migration reached a record high of 745,000 for the year ending last December.

In a public sign of dissatisfaction with Mr Cleverley's remarks, Simon Clarke, the first, raised his level. The Secretary of State has issued a warning from a pollster that the Tories face an “existential electoral migration problem”.

Writing on X (formerly Twitter), he said: “No hyperbole here.”

James Johnson, co-founder of opinion polling JL Partners and a former adviser to Theresa May, described Mr. on Cleverly as being “totally in step with the voters.”

He added: “Voters want a small boat crisis.” solve by any possible means. Stopping the small boats is crucial if the Tories are to have any chance of winning the next election. The Prime Minister seems to understand this, but his Home Secretary does not.»

'Ignoring voters'

Another Conservative party member said: «James Cleverley clearly doesn't understand how important immigration is as an issue to people.

«The description of words that some colleagues used as hyperbole shows a complete disregard for the concerns of voters.

The MP added: “We are not ‘obsessed’ with Rwanda. We understand that deterrents are needed to combat illegal migration. This scheme is a deterrent.»

Mr Jones said: «I am sure the Home Secretary understands that the Supreme Court decision must be vigorously addressed.»

«To that end domestic legislation is required, as well as a treaty with Rwanda. I have no doubt that the government will soon introduce the necessary legislation, and I and the European Research Group look forward to supporting it.”

The No 10 source said the government was “fully committed to making Rwanda work.” » and that «work on the preparation of the treaty and legislation is proceeding at a rapid pace.»

The source added: «The Home Secretary emphasizes that we have managed to reduce the number of crossings by a third even without Rwanda. But, of course, Rwanda is a key part of our 10-point plan and we remain committed to getting started.”

“Urgent Steps”

Dr Caroline Johnson, Conservative MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham said: “Levels of legal migration are too high. This puts pressure on communities, public services and housing. The government must take urgent action to reduce immigration.”

Robert Jenrick, the immigration secretary, is pushing for tougher visas for foreign health and care workers as part of a five-point plan to reduce net immigration. migration.

A government source insisted Mr Cleverley «absolutely shared» voters' concerns, given his «absolute focus is on the 'stop the boats' mission and on legal migration and controlling it and

The source added: “Nothing he said suggests he is not fully committed to stopping boats and controlling migration… he said people should focus less on methods and talk about them, and more about the mission and its implementation. That is exactly what he and the Prime Minister will do.”