Mr Sunak has already lost one cabinet minister over the bill and rebels could vote against it in the Commons. Photo: James Manning/PA Wire
The Conservative Party chairman has warned rebels that ousting Rishi Sunak before the next election would be “madness” as the Prime Minister faces defeat in the House of Commons over the new Rwanda Bill.
Richard Holden said divided parties don't win elections and urged colleagues not to engage in “self-analysis” amid rows over immigration.
The Prime Minister used Thursday's press conference to sell his new ” emergency” law aimed at launching deportation flights from Rwanda, insisting that “only” his approach will work.
But Tory MPs from both the moderate and right wings of the parliamentary party are considering voting against the bill.
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Mr Sunak has already lost a cabinet minister over the issue, and Robert Jenrick resigned as immigration minister on Wednesday, saying the legislation would not work.
At an event with political journalists on Thursday, Mr Holden, who was appointed Tory chairman in a recent cabinet reshuffle, was under pressure from speculation that defeat would jeopardize Mr Sunak's leadership.
Asked by The Telegraph about the possibility of another leadership fight before the next election, Mr Holden said: “I think that would be crazy.” However, Rachel McLean, the party's deputy chairman, said that the vote in Rwanda will reflect trust in the government.
She told GB News: “Of course it is about trust in the government and what it delivers.”< /p>
Members of the centrist Tory One Nation group, which has officially backed 106 MPs, are “very nervous” about the bill unilaterally declaring Rwanda safe.
On Thursday, Lord Garnier, a former attorney general who advises the group, said , which will not vote for the bill, saying that it represents “political nonsense” and “legal nonsense.”
Meanwhile, three Tory groups on the right – the European Research Group, the New Conservatives and the Common Sense Group – are also weighing up whether to oppose the bill.
The Telegraph can reveal there is concern within the star chamber by officially reporting to these three groups that the bill would not achieve its goal of protecting the deportation plan from legal challenges.
In another development, The Telegraph can reveal that the UK government has committed a further £100 million to Rwanda on top of the £140 million already paid out to help pay for the scheme.
There were signs on Thursday that Downing Street is backing away from immediate confrontation with Tory MPs over the legislation, which has reopened the party divide.
Mr Sunak said the vote would not be a “vote of confidence”, meaning the rebels would not lose whip if they vote against the bill, and defeat will not lead to a general election.
However, Rachel McLean, deputy chair of the party, told GB News: “Of course it is about trust in the government and that it gives.”
The Prime Minister faces questions at the Covid inquiry on Monday ahead of the first vote on the bill on Tuesday, marking the start of another critical week for his premiership.
Final House vote Commons was not included in the new parliamentary schedules before Christmas, meaning it may now not happen until next year.
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