Portrait of Keir Starmer
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Keir Starmer on Rwanda Plan (Asylum)

Cancelled asylum plan (strong) Position evolved

Keir Starmer, as Prime Minister, immediately declared the Rwanda asylum plan to be "dead and buried" as one of his first acts upon entering office in July 2024. This fulfilled a long-held Labour commitment to scrap the controversial policy initiated by the previous administration.

Prior to becoming Prime Minister, Starmer and the Labour Party had consistently opposed the plan, often citing legal, moral, and practical objections. During his time as Leader of the Opposition, the Labour position was firmly against sending asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing and resettlement.

In place of the Rwanda scheme, Starmer's government established the Border Security Command under Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. This new command is tasked with tackling the smuggling gangs that facilitate illegal migrant crossings across the English Channel, representing his administration's alternative approach to managing small boat crossings.

Context

The Rwanda Plan (Asylum), formally known as the Migration and Economic Development Partnership, involved sending asylum seekers who arrived in the UK via small boats or other irregular means to Rwanda to have their claims processed there, with the aim of deterring illegal migration across the English Channel. Keir Starmer's stance on this policy is a significant element of his domestic agenda, especially concerning immigration control.

Timeline

  1. As Leader of the Opposition, Starmer criticised the government's handling of small-boat crossings, signalling opposition to the direction of the Rwanda plan.
  2. In the 2024 election manifesto period, Starmer reaffirmed the commitment to ending the Rwanda scheme, framing it as part of his broader promise to tackle illegal immigration differently.
  3. Upon becoming Prime Minister, Starmer immediately announced the cancellation of the Rwanda asylum plan.

Actions Taken

  1. Policy Cancellation
    Declared the Rwanda asylum plan "dead and buried" immediately after being appointed Prime Minister.
  2. Policy Establishment
    Directed Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to establish the Border Security Command as the replacement mechanism to tackle smuggling gangs.

Related Positions

  • English Channel Crossings Starmer's administration is focusing on dismantling smuggling gangs and negotiating international returns deals, like the one with France, as an alternative to the Rwanda policy.
  • Overall Immigration Policy The cancellation of the Rwanda plan is part of a broader shift in Labour's immigration strategy, which also involves introducing a 'one in, one out' migrant deal and aiming to reduce net migration figures.

Comparison

Starmer's cancellation of the Rwanda Plan represents a clear break from the Conservative Government, which had invested significant political capital and public funds into implementing the scheme. While the Conservatives viewed it as a necessary deterrent, Labour under Starmer deemed it unworkable and costly.

Sources1

* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.