Kemi Badenoch’s primary immigration strategy has faced heavy criticism as she dismissed key details of her plans as insignificant. The Conservative leader is grappling with the challenge of winning over hard-right voters from Nigel Farage. During a recent announcement, Badenoch revealed a plan to deport 150,000 individuals annually from the UK but struggled to specify their relocation.
Concerns have been raised about the potential repercussions of her proposal to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), particularly in relation to the Good Friday Agreement. Badenoch’s stance on departing from the ECHR could lead to Conservative members needing to support this move to stand as candidates, potentially prompting a shift towards the more centrist Liberal Democrats.
When questioned about the destination of the deported individuals, Badenoch evaded providing a clear answer, emphasizing that they should return to their home countries or seek refuge in safe third countries. She expressed frustration over what she deemed as irrelevant inquiries regarding their relocation, emphasizing that they should not remain in the UK due to criminal activities and harm caused.
The previous Tory initiative, known as the Rwanda plan, which incurred a cost of over £700 million and resulted in only four volunteers agreeing to depart, was abandoned when Labour assumed power. Badenoch’s proposals also involve a complete repeal of the Human Rights Act, exiting the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings (ECAT), and amending domestic laws related to modern slavery to facilitate removals.
The plan includes establishing a new Removals Force reminiscent of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) under Donald Trump’s administration. Hilary Benn, the Northern Ireland Secretary, cautioned against the potential dire consequences of leaving the ECHR, highlighting the historical significance of the Good Friday Agreement and the risks associated with undermining it.
Opposition to Badenoch’s approach has been voiced by various figures, including the Irish Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris, warning against compromising the guarantees provided by the ECHR. Labour criticized Badenoch’s leadership, accusing the Conservative Party of failing to learn from past mistakes and lacking clarity on crucial policy aspects.
In response to the ongoing debate, Badenoch reiterated the party’s stance on ECHR membership, stating that dissenters may remain in the party but would not be allowed to stand as Members of Parliament. The political landscape remains contentious, with contrasting viewpoints on immigration policies and human rights issues.