Newly Elected British Prime Minister Keir Starmer canceled a Conservative plan to send asylum-seekers to Rwanda on 6 June, saying it didn’t work and was too expensive. The policy, pushed by ex-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, tried to stop migrants from crossing the English Channel but ran into problems like human rights issues and practical difficulties. Despite spending a lot of money, the plan never managed to deport anyone to Rwanda.
In his first cabinet meeting at 10 Downing St. as Prime Minister following Labour’s recent election win, Starmer highlighted that the Rwanda deportation plan didn’t deter migrants as intended. It cost a lot but didn’t achieve its goals. Ending the policy early in his term fulfills his campaign pledge to scrap this controversial plan.
Conservative figures like Suella Braverman criticized Starmer’s decision, suggesting the Rwanda scheme could work with better execution. Nonetheless, Starmer’s move shows Labour is changing course on immigration from the Conservatives’ approach.
