Leader of Reform in the UK Richard Tice has extended an invitation to Lee Anderson and Brendan Clarke-Smith, Tory Rwanda Bill rebels, to join his party.
Both MPs would clear Reform UK’s “rigorous” screening procedure, according to Mr. Tice.
The action was taken in response to the resignations of two senior red-wall MPs from the Conservative Party for supporting amendments to Rishi Sunak’s Safety of Rwanda Bill proposed by Sir Bill Cash and former immigration minister Robert Jenrick.
In order to join the largest Conservative revolt against the prime minister’s leadership, Mr Anderson and Mr Clarke-Smith resigned from their positions as deputy chairs.
Today, January 17, Mr. Sunak faces yet another significant uprising as Members of Parliament debate whether to support legislation that would preserve the government’s signature asylum policy.
Mr Tice said: “I can confirm that Lee and Brendan would both pass our strict vetting process.”
His offer came after the party executed a U-turn by deciding to field a candidate in the upcoming Kingswood by-election, triggered by the resignation of Chris Skidmore.
Rupert Lowe, a Brexit Party MEP and former chairman of Southampton FC, is anticipated to run for Reform UK in the constituency.
Those who backed the amendments to the Rwanda Bill included former prime minister Liz Truss, ministers Suella Braverman and Sir Simon Clarke, and former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith.
The former prime minister and current member of parliament, Boris Johnson, has also supported moves to toughen the Bill. Johnson launched the Rwanda scheme during his tenure.
Before today’s crucial vote, Mr. Sunak made the following statement to the Daily Express in an attempt to bring his party together: “As a party we have to come together to get this legislation through and put the pressure on Labour who are nowhere near on the issue.”
Senior Tory figures have threatened to vote down the Bill if it is not changed before its third reading.