Subscribe to the View from Westminster email newsletter to receive insightful analysis directly in your inbox from our experts.
Receive our complimentary View from Westminster email newsletter.
Suella Braverman strongly criticized Rishi Sunak, calling him a failure and accusing him of breaking a confidential agreement regarding small boats. This harsh attack has caused yet another public conflict within the Conservative party.
Following her dismissal as home secretary, Ms Braverman penned a provocative letter to the prime minister, accusing him of continuously falling short in delivering crucial policies.
She also claimed that he put the country in a difficult situation with no backup plan, only a few hours before an important court decision regarding his main plan for Rwanda.
She criticized Mr Sunak for going back on his promise to do “whatever it takes” to prevent migrants from arriving on boats, which she saw as a betrayal in exchange for her support during the Tory leadership competition.
In an unprecedented action, she also:
-
The leader of the Tory party has been accused of never intending to keep their promises and going against the desire to bypass the European Court of Human Rights in regards to Rwanda.
-
Critics criticized his inadequate reaction to what she referred to as “hate marches” and asserted that someone needed to be truthful about his shortcomings.
-
I implored Mr. Sunak to “urgently alter course” – emphasizing that he had been responsible for the Conservative Party’s “unprecedented election losses.”
-
She disclosed that she possessed a “document” outlining the alleged private agreement between them.
- Advised that with an upcoming election, “your attempts at resetting have been unsuccessful and time is running out.”
-
She stated that she will endorse policies of an “authentic Conservative” government, which can be seen as a demonstration of leadership.
Prior to a significant ruling by the Supreme Court regarding the Rwanda policy, Ms. Braverman cautioned that even if the policy is approved, it will not function as the public anticipates.
The duration of the challenges could span for “months” and his “concessions” could result in the asylum policy being obstructed once again by the European Court of Human Rights.
The justices of the highest court in the UK will make a decision on the legality of the scheme, after a ruling from the Court of Appeal in June overturned the High Court’s determination that Rwanda could be classified as a “safe third country” for migrants.
The former home secretary stated that she had offered a reliable backup plan, which she believed was credible. She also mentioned that without this plan, there would be no chance of flights before the upcoming election if the court ruled against her. However, she did not receive a response.
“Furthermore, your reliance on magical thinking, the belief that you can simply will your way through this without causing any controversy, has led to your failure to develop a viable ‘Plan B’,” she stated.
Ms. Braverman also alleged that he had not only violated our agreement, but also broken his promise to the country to do whatever is necessary to prevent boats from arriving.
The former home secretary, who was extremely angry, also mentioned a agreement she made with Mr Sunak during the leadership competition. At that time, her support was considered essential to his campaign.
She stated that she had accepted the offer to resume her role as home secretary, even after being dismissed by Liz Truss. However, she only agreed on the condition that she would address the impact of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) on legislation regarding small boats.
“I trusted you,” she said, referring to the agreement that had clear terms. However, she accused Mr. Sunak of being evasive, dismissive, and uninterested.
On Monday morning, Mr Sunak dismissed Ms Braverman via phone call and appointed James Cleverly to take her place. He also chose David Cameron as his new foreign secretary.
She resigned from the cabinet after facing widespread backlash for her claim that the Metropolitan Police showed favoritism towards pro-Palestine demonstrators.
Ms Braverman expressed her dissatisfaction with Mr Sunak’s handling of the protest in her letter, criticizing him for being indecisive, feeble, and lacking the necessary leadership qualities for the country.
She stated that she had lost her voice from constantly advocating for the passing of a law to prohibit hate marches and to combat the increasing presence of racism, intimidation, and glorification of terrorism.
On Tuesday, Mr. Sunak announced that Ms. Braverman’s proposal to limit the distribution of tents to homeless individuals was no longer being considered. According to No 10, this measure will not be included in the Criminal Justice Bill.
Ms. Braverman caused controversy with her ban on tents and her characterization of rough sleeping as a “choice of lifestyle.”
Ms. Braverman stated in her letter, “You have continuously and evidently not fulfilled any of these crucial policies.”
She stated, “Either your unique approach to governing prevents you from fulfilling your promises, or, as I can now infer, you never intended to keep them.”
She stated, “Someone needs to be truthful: your strategy is not effective, we have experienced significant losses in elections, your attempts to restart have been unsuccessful and we are running out of time. You must make urgent changes in direction.”
Mr. Sunak is likely to face significant pressure from Conservative Members of Parliament to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) if judges rule against his policy regarding Rwanda.
In April, the newly appointed home secretary Mr. Cleverly expressed doubt about the necessity of the proposed move.
According to Jacob Rees-Mogg, a former business secretary, the government must ensure that flights resume by the end of the year or else their policy will not be taken seriously, as reported by the Independent.
He requested for Mr Sunak to disregard the ECHR, stating that Conservative MPs will anticipate the Prime Minister to follow through.
Martin Vickers, a Conservative MP and part of the Common Sense Group, stated that Rishi Sunak would face significant pressure to resign from the European Convention on Human Rights if he is unsuccessful in the Rwanda case and to completely sever ties.
Downing Street responded to the letter, expressing gratitude to Mrs Braverman for her service, but did not address the proposal of a secret agreement.
Liberal Democrat spokesperson for home affairs, Alistair Carmichael, criticized the Conservative Party for causing more chaos and questioned when their ongoing drama will finally come to an end.
Source: independent.co.uk