While the Tories prepare for a double defeat in the Wakefield and Tiverton by-elections, Boris Johnson arrived in Rwanda today, more than 4,000 miles from the UK.
The PM and his wife Carrie are attending a Commonwealth summit in Kigali, and they will be traveling abroad for the following week.
However, if as anticipated the government fails to defend them both for the first time since the closing days of John Major’s tenure in No. 10, there are fears the by-elections could ignite a fresh Conservative uprising.
Ministers have already practiced their justifications for why mid-term by-elections are challenging for governments to hold. But for Mr. Johnson, controlling the size of the setbacks is crucial.
As the premier meets with Prince Charles following what appear to be disagreements about the policy of deporting Channel migrants to Rwanda, he faces yet another challenging showdown during his visit.
Before getting on the plane, Mr. Johnson set up a contentious situation by accusing scheme critics of having a “condescending” demeanor.
The heir to the throne is rumored to have called the idea “appalling” in private.
Prince Charles and Mr. Johnson are in attendance for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm).
However, the PM has no plans to go to the Kigali residence where illegal immigrants would be sent after being deported.
Tomorrow morning, it is believed that Mr. Johnson will stop by Charles for a cup of tea, although he is not particularly enthusiastic to discuss the practice of expelling immigrants who enter the country illegally and purchase a one-way ticket.
The meeting, which takes place after the ‘appalling’ remark surfaced, will be their first conversation since the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee service.
Mr. Johnson said in a statement as he got ready to board a plane for Kigali that the trip is a chance “for us all to grasp for ourselves what that partnership has to offer.”
Let’s hope that this can assist others get over their dismissive views of Rwanda and the potential benefits of this collaboration, he continued.
‘I have no proof for the allegation you’ve just made regarding the prince’s comments,’ Mr. Johnson responded when asked if he would correct the prince. I’m unable to verify that.
What I can say is that the policy is reasonable, measured, and designed to address the horrible mistreatment of innocent persons crossing the Channel.
Even while he stated that he was “looking forward very much to seeing” Charles, he did not indicate whether or not he would be discussing the issue with him.
Despite it being Mr. Johnson’s first trip to the country while occupying No. 10, he has no plans to go to any of the lodging designated for the program.
The Prime Minister’s spokesman said: “You will know that the Prime Minister’s time is always restricted and that he would have to abandon aspects of the agenda when he’s working with a unique mix of world leaders on pretty vital subjects.”
“We believe that the best use of his limited time in Rwanda is to focus on some of the topics that will be discussed at the summit and to collaborate with other world leaders on some of those concerns we’ve discussed, not least Ukraine and international security.”
Prior to a thorough hearing on the scheme’s constitutionality in UK courts, the first flight carrying passengers to Rwanda that was scheduled to depart last week was grounded by successful legal challenges.
One aspect of a £120 million economic agreement with Kigali, the strategy has drawn heavy criticism, in part due to worries over Rwanda’s human rights record.
Despite the deal being struck two months ago, Mr. Johnson remarked that he would be traveling there before any asylum seekers.
No UK court and no international court has pronounced our plan unconstitutional, he added, adding, “I’m cognizant that I’m arriving before anyone who has traveled illegally across the Channel, I cannot conceal that fact from you.”
However, Mr. Johnson stated that he will ‘no doubt’ talk about the plans with Paul Kagame of Rwanda.