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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both MPs would clear Reform UK’s “rigorous” screening procedure, according to Mr. Tice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr Tice said: “I can confirm that Lee and Brendan would both pass our strict vetting process.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rupert Lowe, a Brexit Party MEP and former chairman of Southampton FC, is anticipated to run for Reform UK in the constituency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Senior Tory figures have threatened to vote down the Bill if it is not changed before its third reading.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 … <\/p>\n