Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is pressing the unelected upper house of Parliament to swiftly pass his contentious plan to send migrants to Rwanda, declaring it to be the will of the people. This comes after he survived a crucial test of his leadership by thwarting right-wing rebels and securing a win in the House of Commons for the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill. Sunak emphasized that the bill needs to move forward without delay so that flights to Rwanda can begin as quickly as possible. With immigration a top concern for voters, this legislation has become a central issue ahead of the upcoming general election.

Despite threats from Conservative rebels and deep unease expressed by members of the Lords, the bill won in the Commons by 320 votes to 276, marking a significant victory for Sunak. However, the UK Supreme Court ruled last year that deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda is illegal under international law. Sunak has vowed to implement this plan as an urgent national priority and promises to stop migrants from crossing the Channel from northern France.

But skeptics worry that the proposed law is not in line with international refugee law and might be too extreme, creating division within the Conservative party and raising concerns about its potential vulnerability to court rulings. As Sunak works to push his flagship policy through Parliament, the fate of this controversial bill ultimately lies in the hands of the House of Lords. This pivotal decision could impact the trajectory of Sunak's leadership and the future of immigration policies in the UK.