UK premier, Labour leader clash about controversial Rwanda asylum plan

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - Labour leader Keir Starmer labeled British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Wednesday as being a "Mr. Nobody" who "simply doesn't get Britain."

The heated debate during the weekly Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons centered around the government's controversial Rwanda asylum plan.

Starmer asserted that Sunak had reservations about the policy before assuming his current role.

Sunak countered by saying Starmer has "no plan" for the country and urged the public to stick with the government for the "long-term change that the country needs."

He defended the Rwanda asylum plan and emphasized the need to "stop the boats," highlighting the success of similar agreements such as one with Albania that resulted in a 93% drop in illegal arrivals.

The debate escalated as Starmer accused Sunak of being "caught red-handed opposing the very thing that he has now made his flagship policy."

Starmer claimed that the £400 million ($500 million) allocated to the Rwanda scheme had been wasted, with no one sent to Rwanda and small boats still arriving.

Sunak said in response: "I have always been crystal clear: You do need to have an effective deterrence to finally solve this problem. In fact, the National Crime Agency agree that you need, in their words, an effective removals and deterrence agreement. And that is why after becoming prime minister, I negotiated a new deal with Albania, thanks to which we have seen a 93% drop in illegal arrivals from Albania."

Starmer outlined Labour's plan to "smash the gangs, process the claims and end hotel use," while accusing Sunak of inconsistency.

Sunak defended the government's record, highlighting the closure of the first 50 hotels used for accommodation and accused Starmer of blocking powers in the Nationality and Borders Act that have been instrumental in arresting those connected to illegal trade.

Starmer accused the Tories of having "lost control of the borders" and raised concerns about dentistry, flood defenses and children not attending school.

He said the government appears "blissfully uninterested" in matters outside Westminster.

The heated exchange underscores the ongoing tension between the Labour Party and the Conservative government on crucial issues, with immigration policies taking center stage in the latest parliamentary confrontation.