In a powerful speech given to the House of Lords before a crucial vote on the government’s Rwanda Bill, the Archbishop of Canterbury shamed the Prime Minister arguing “we as a nation can do better.”
Archbishop of Canterbury Criticizes Rwanda Plan
Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, slammed the government’s plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, stating that the nation can achieve better solutions than the proposed bill.
Critique of Government’s Approach
Welby accused the government of pursuing commendable objectives through flawed means, leading the country down a damaging path by insisting on the controversial legislation.
Archbishop’s Powerful Statement
The Archbishop said in a powerful speech that “we as a nation can do better” accusing the government of “continuing to seek good objectives in the wrong way.”
Addressing the House of Lords
The Archbishop addressed the House of Lords as they voted to pass five amendments that provided a huge blow to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s plans to get his legislation approved for the bill.
Reminder to “Welcome the Stranger”
The Archbishop reminded the Lords of the Christian traditions that the UK was built on, suggesting that In the Christian tradition, we are told to welcome the stranger,” referring to the asylum seekers.
Supreme Court Blocks Earlier Attempt
The Supreme Court blocked an earlier version of the legislation, deeming the proposed Rwanda bill as “unlawful,” meaning the country is not safe to send asylum seekers, which came under scrutiny from Sunak.
Ministers Accused of Outsourcing Morales
The Archbishop argued that those who approve the bill are attempting to “outsource our legal and moral responsibilities for refugees and asylum seekers”.
Government Urged to Respond to Small Boats
As of June 2023, asylum seekers arriving on small boats accounted for over a third of those who eventually claimed asylum in the UK, urging the government to respond by taking extreme measures.
Sunak’s “Stop the Boats” Plan
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak promised the nation that his government would do everything in their power to “Stop the boats,” a method of asylum that is tragically claiming the lives of so many in the English Channel.
Tragedy Strikes on Small Boats
Most recently, a seven-year-old girl tragically lost her life in the waters of the English Channel after being placed on one of the small boats, on the same day that 300 asylum seekers landed on British shores using the method.
Archbishop Calls for Unity
The Archbishop argued that the Rwanda Bill was “damaging for our nation’s unity in a time when the greatest issues of war, peace, defence and security need us to be united.”
Asylum Seekers “Are of Great Value”
The Archbishop argued that asylum seekers are of great use to the country and should be treated with more respect, saying that the bill, “obscures the truth that all people, asylum seekers included, are of great value.”
“Damaging” UK’s Reputation
He also argued that the bill was “damaging” to the UK’s reputation and that asylum seekers “in need of protection” should be given the right to safe passage out of their country.
Lord Clarke Back Supreme Court Decision
After the Supreme Court’s initial ruling that the bill was “unlawful,” former Chancellor and Tory peer Lord Ken Clarke said that it was hard to imagine a scenario where the British Supreme Court would come to any other conclusion.
Rwanda Deemed “Unsafe” by Majority
One of the five amendments voted for by the Lords was by a staggering majority of 102 votes, that deemed Rwanda an “unsafe” country that would put asylum seekers’ lives at risk.
Conservative Party Under Fire
The Conservative Party has come under fire recently for its failed plans to deal with immigration, including a barge hotel that got evacuated, along with some members’ opinions on the religion of Islam.
Barge Evacuated After Legionella Virus
The Bibby Stockholm barge was recently evacuated after Sunak removed hundreds of asylum seekers from hotels to the barge to be housed. The barge was evacuated just days later for a legionella leak in its water system.
Tragedy Strikes
An asylum seeker who was allegedly “tricked” into being housed on the barge tragically took his own life, with his family urging the police to investigate more into his death.
Tory Members Under Fire
Some Tory members, including Suella Braverman and Lee Anderson, have come under fire for their opinions on Islam, arguing that “Islamists” are now in control of certain parts of the nation.
Words Have Desired Effect
The Archbishop of Canterbury’s words were powerful and most likely affected the Lords, who voted to pass the five amendments that could see the Rwanda Bill blocked.
25 Things You CAN’T Talk About Anymore
Remember the days when you could freely discuss just about anything without fear of sparking controversy? Well, those days are long gone. In today’s hyper-sensitive world, there are topics so fraught with tension that even mentioning them can lead to heated debates and hurt feelings. 25 Things You CAN’T Talk About Anymore
Stranded: 15 Worst British Cars in History
Ever had a car that spent more time with the mechanic than on the road? A car that turned every journey into a game of “Will we actually get there?” If so, you might just see a familiar face (or should we say, chassis) in our countdown to the most unreliable British car in history. Stranded: 15 Worst British Cars in History
“Britain Will Become Unrecognizable” – Suella Braverman Spells Disaster for UK Amid Steep Rise in Visas Issued
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman has warned that Britain will become “unrecognizable,” criticizing the amount of work visas the Home Office has approved, despite only being removed from her role in November. “Britain Will Become Unrecognizable” – Suella Braverman Spells Disaster for UK Amid Steep Rise in Visas Issued
20 Things From the ‘70s That Are Not OK Today
Step into the time machine and set the dial to the 1970s, a decade of disco, bell-bottoms, and some rather questionable choices. While the ’70s gave us iconic music and groundbreaking TV, not everything from this groovy era would get a green light today. 20 Things From the ‘70s That Are Not OK Today
20 Best and Worst Universities in the UK
Navigating the UK university landscape is like deciphering a complex code of rankings, reviews, and reputations to uncover where you’ll not just learn, but truly flourish. Whether you’re drawn to the historic halls of Oxford or the creative buzz of Goldsmiths, finding your perfect fit is about aligning your aspirations with the unique offerings of each institution. 20 Best and Worst Universities in the UK
The post Do Better: Rwanda Bill Attracts Scathing Comments From Archbishop first appeared on Edge Media.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / LCV.
Oscar Davies, an expert in US and UK politics and sports, is renowned for his sharp and engaging writing style, appealing to a broad spectrum of readers.