Kemi Badenoch faces criticism over her immigration plan as she dismisses the importance of key details in her proposals. The Conservative leader is striving to regain support from hard-right voters, particularly those drawn to Nigel Farage. She recently announced a plan to deport 150,000 individuals annually from the UK but struggled to clarify their relocation destinations.
Critics have raised concerns over the potential risks her plan poses to the Good Friday Agreement, especially her proposal to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Badenoch’s stance on leaving the ECHR has sparked dissent within her party, with implications that members may defect to the more moderate Liberal Democrats.
When questioned about the deportation scheme, Badenoch evaded specifics on the recipients’ relocation, emphasizing the need for them to return to their home countries or safe third nations. She expressed frustration at what she deemed “irrelevant” inquiries about the exact destinations, reiterating that those individuals should not remain in the UK due to alleged criminal activities and harm inflicted on others.
Notably, the Conservative Party’s previous costly initiative, the Rwanda plan, was terminated by the Labour government after minimal success. Badenoch’s proposal includes a full repeal of the Human Rights Act, exiting the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings (ECAT), and amending domestic modern slavery laws to facilitate removals.
The plan also involves establishing a new Removals Force akin to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) under Donald Trump’s administration. However, concerns have been raised, notably by Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn, about the potentially detrimental consequences of leaving the ECHR, a move that could jeopardize the longstanding peace brought by the Good Friday Agreement.
Critics argue that the Conservative Party’s alignment with Reform in advocating ECHR withdrawal contradicts the foundational principles of the Good Friday Agreement. The proposal has drawn international scrutiny, with comparisons made to countries like Belarus and Russia as non-signatories to the convention.
Despite opposition and warnings from various quarters, including Irish Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris, Badenoch remains resolute in her stance, asserting that Conservative candidates must support leaving the ECHR to remain in the party. Labour has criticized Badenoch’s leadership, highlighting the lack of accountability for past mistakes and a failure to address crucial policy questions.
In response, Labour emphasizes a different approach focused on national renewal, emphasizing economic growth, border security, and improving conditions for working individuals, contrasting with what they perceive as the ongoing missteps of the Conservative Party.