What's happened
Former Prime Minister John Major has condemned the UK government's Rwanda asylum scheme as 'un-Conservative' and 'un-British.' He criticized the plan's potential revival by Conservative leadership candidates and urged the party to focus on appealing to centre-right voters following their recent electoral defeat.
What's behind the headline?
Major's Critique
- Major's comments highlight a significant shift in Conservative Party values.
- He labels the Rwanda scheme as 'odious' and unsuitable for modern governance.
Political Implications
- Major's critique may influence the direction of the Conservative leadership race.
- Candidates like Robert Jenrick and James Cleverly are pushing to revive the scheme, risking further alienation from centrist voters.
Public Sentiment
- Major's remarks resonate with a growing public discontent regarding immigration policies.
- The backlash against the Rwanda scheme reflects broader concerns about the treatment of asylum seekers in the UK.
Future of the Conservative Party
- Major emphasizes the need for the party to reconnect with its centre-right base.
- The party's future may hinge on its ability to address immigration in a more humane and effective manner.
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, Sir John Major criticized the Rwanda scheme as 'un-Conservative and un-British,' expressing concerns about its effectiveness as a deterrent for asylum seekers. He stated, 'Are they seriously saying to me that somewhere in the backwoods of some North Africa country, they actually know what the British Parliament has legislated for?' Meanwhile, The Mirror reported that Major warned against a merger with Reform UK, calling it 'fatal' for the Conservative Party. He urged the party to focus on appealing to centre-right voters, noting that they lost more seats to Labour and the Liberal Democrats than to Reform UK. The Independent echoed Major's sentiments, highlighting his view that the Rwanda scheme was worse than historical deportations of convicts to Australia, stating, 'I don’t think transportation, for that is what it is, is a policy suitable for the 21st century.'
How we got here
The Rwanda asylum scheme was introduced by the previous Conservative government to deter illegal crossings of the Channel. However, it faced legal challenges and was scrapped by the new Labour government shortly after taking office in July 2024.
Go deeper
- What are the implications of Major's comments?
- How has public opinion shifted regarding immigration?
- What are the Conservative leadership candidates proposing?
Common question
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What Did John Major Say About the Rwanda Asylum Scheme?
Former Prime Minister John Major has recently voiced strong criticisms against the UK government's Rwanda asylum scheme, labeling it as 'un-Conservative' and 'un-British.' His remarks have sparked discussions about the implications of this scheme on current Conservative policies and the party's future direction. Below are some common questions regarding Major's critique and the broader context of the Rwanda asylum scheme.
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