In a dig at his ‘condescending’ detractors, Boris Johnson today vowed to tell Prince Charles to keep a ‘open mind’ about his plan to deport migrants across the Channel.
When they meet for tea tomorrow, the PM promised to emphasize the program’s “clear virtues.”
When Mr. Johnson arrived in Kigali for the Commonwealth meeting, President Paul Kagame welcomed him. He then paid a visit to a neighboring school. The leaders praised the agreement on migration, according to No. 10.
However, he is preparing for what would be a difficult encounter with Prince Charles in light of rumors that the heir to the throne has publicly criticized the ‘appalling’ plan to transfer migrants to Rwanda.
Mr. Johnson promised to emphasize to the prince the “clear virtues” of his Rwandan asylum program.
The Prime Minister of Rwanda remarked, “I am glad that Prince Charles and everyone is here today to see a country that has undergone a total, or a very big transformation,” while on a visit to a school in the nation’s capital.
When asked if, in his meeting with Charles, he would defend the deportation approach, Mr. Johnson responded, “People need to maintain an open mind about the policy, the opponents need to keep an open mind about the program.” Many people are able to recognize its clear benefits. So of course I’m going to bring up that topic if I see the prince tomorrow.
During his visit to the Commonwealth Business Forum Exhibition in Rwanda today, The Prince of Wales inspected display booths and spoke with attendees.
Charles was accompanied by Jeremy Cross, the international director of the Prince’s Foundation, and Clare Akamanzi, the Rwanda Development Board’s chief executive officer, as he was shown around the Kigali Cultural Exhibition Village.
Mr. Johnson claimed to have discussed the contentious asylum policy of the UK with President Kagame of Rwanda: “I just had a terrific chat with Paul Kagame.”
He has a strong enthusiasm for this. He has spent a considerable amount of time as a refugee. He is familiar with how it is. He observes the issue of vulnerable persons being trafficked internationally and across the English Channel.
He views this as a chance for the UK and Rwanda to work together to address a growing global issue.
Migration is not the only issue.
He continued, “It is about trade, it is about green technology, it is about financial services, it is about all kinds of things. This cooperation is expanding.
Mr. Johnson claimed that those who were against the strategy were doing so because of “an antiquated perception, possibly a prejudice of Rwanda.”
He emphasized that neither a UK court nor a Strasbourg court had declared the strategy to be illegal.
We will just keep moving forward, he declared.
In order to address the extremely complex issue of illicit human trafficking, he advised those who had concerns to “think about the manner these two countries can work together.”
According to Downing Street, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Kagame concurred that the stagnant asylum policy can benefit in the fight against smuggling gangs.
The leaders also commended the effective UK-Rwanda migration and economic development collaboration, which is combating risky smuggling groups while giving individuals a chance to start over in a secure nation, according to a No. 10 spokeswoman.
As he was ready to board a plane for Kigali, Mr. Johnson was again questioned on the Rwanda policy. He stated that the trip is a chance “for us all to appreciate for ourselves what that partnership has to offer.”
According to him, people might be able to “shed some of their condescending notions of Rwanda and how that relationship might function.”
In response to a question on whether he would correct the prince, Mr. Johnson stated, “I have no proof for the assertion you’ve just made about the prince’s comments.
I am unable to confirm that. I can only say that the policy is reasonable, measured, and designed to address the horrible mistreatment of innocent persons crossing the Channel.
Mr. Johnson has no plans to go to the Kigali residence where illegal immigrants would be sent after being deported.
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.”
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.
Imran Ahmad Khan won Wakefield in 2019 with a margin of 3,358, making it a prized “Red Wall” victor. The Tories had won there for the first time since 1931.
However, Mr. Ahmed Khan is in incarcerated after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a teenage lad.
Around the time of the vote of no confidence against Mr. Johnson, a Survation poll conducted for the 38 Degrees website two weeks prior found that Labour had 56% of the vote in the West Yorkshire seat and the Tories had 33%.
Although Keir Starmer was there over the weekend, Mr. Johnson has not visited the district throughout the campaign.
The 24,000-vote Tory majority in Tiverton & Honiton is up for grabs when ‘tractor porn’ MP Neil Parish abandoned the seat. Lib Dem leader Ed Davey has urged voters to “speak for Britain” and defeat the Tories.
It’s not going to be a 20-point triumph, a Labour insider who has been campaigning in Wakefield earlier this week told MailOnline. But since they put in the effort, it is undoubtedly a success.
“I would predict a 3,000 to 4,000 majority.”
“The Lib Dems have taken no action.” A pamphlet was distributed by the Greens.
‘There were some people I spoke to who said they would be voting Green… nobody mentioned Brexit, which is a good sign. However, Corbyn was brought up twice.
A prominent Conservative who had been running for office in both Tiverton and Wakefield concurred that “Labour will win in Wakefield.”
There is no disputing that. They told MailOnline that “the Boris factor is at play.”
Despite this, the Tories have succeeded in demonstrating that there is no love for Labour and that the Labour candidate is an outsider.
They will prevail because there are enough disgruntled voters in a constituency that has never voted Conservative since before World War II.