RISHI SUNAK last night told Labour to stop "playing games" and back his Rwanda scheme if they are serious about ending the small boats crisis.
In a direct challenge to Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister said Labour must "for once stop acting in their shortterm interests" and put the country first.
Opposing the scheme, which will be put to the vote on Tuesday, would prove they were "not fit to govern".
Mr Sunak declared: "If Labour votes against this plan it is clear they are not serious about stopping the boats and keeping people out of the clutches of people smugglers."
The PM is facing a crucial moment of his premiership, with threats to his flagship Rwanda scheme coming not just from the Opposition but from rebels in his own party. The fact he is openly challenging Sir Keir to back the Government in the “national interest” shows how much Tuesday’s vote is on a knife edge.
His stark words came as new migration minister Tom Pursglove said the Rwanda battle was a “defining moment” in the fight against illegal migration and warned: “The time for talking is over”.
MPs will vote on emergency legislation to make sure illegal migrants are sent to Rwanda for processing. Mr Sunak said: “This week, Labour needs for once to rise above political games. They need for once to stop acting in their short-term interests.
“They need to act in the national interest. The Conservatives are on the public’s side – and we will push on with our plan to stop the boats.”
In a personal message to Sunday Express readers, Mr Pursglove said the Government is determined to “tackle this problem once and for all”.
Esta historia es de la edición December 10, 2023 de Sunday Express.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición December 10, 2023 de Sunday Express.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Fourmidable Cole
PALMER'S SUBLIME QUARTET
TROSSARD FINDS HIS REDEMPTION
MIKEL ARTETA declared on Friday he didn't want Arsenal to be posted on YouTube \"for doing something silly\".
Labour's pledge on bone care
HEALTH Secretary Wes Streeting has once again vowed to keep his promise to transform fracture liaison services in the battle against osteoporosis.
Entertaining for a living is such a privilege people
Lucy Beaumont's on-screen relationship and subsequent break-up with husband and fellow comic Jon Richardson may have hit the headlines, but she tells RICHARD BARBER her UK tour is focused on much happier topics
Fears over auto 999 alerts sent by phone
A CORONER has issued a warning after police failed to immediately respond to an 999 alert sent by a car smash victim's iPhone.
The autism patients 'wrongly locked up'
THE SCANDAL of thousands of patients with learning disabilities and autism \"wrongly\" locked in solitary confinement will be ended, disability minister Sir Stephen Timms has pledged.
Rula: I regret not having closure with Dennis after our turbulent marriage
ACTRESS Rula Lenska has opened up about her difficult marriage to Dennis Waterman and says she regrets not having closure before his death in 2022 aged 74.
Shocking exposé of the disturbing dark world of influencer Tate's 'manosphere'
A minor kickboxer and failed reality TV star rose to become one of the world's most controversial figures, warping the minds of countless young men with his sexist ideology. But in a new book, two undercover investigators who penetrated Andrew Tate's inner circle discovered the truth is darker still.
Burnham blasts snobbery behind Blair's uni crusade
LABOUR made a \"terrible mistake\" by pushing young people to enter higher education without an ambitious plan for those not going to university, says Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.
Jenrick: I'll win back the red wall and kick out Keir
TORY leadership favourite Robert Jenrick today declares himself the heir to Boris Johnson with a vow to win back the \"red wall\" and kick Sir Keir Starmer out of Downing Street.