In a recent interview with the BBC, Sir John Major, former British Prime Minister, expressed strong opposition to the previous government's Rwanda scheme, labeling it as "un-Conservative and un-British." The policy, which aimed to deter asylum seekers by sending those who arrived in the UK illegally to Rwanda, was scrapped by the current Labour government in July 2024.
Major drew parallels between the Rwanda scheme and the historical practice of transporting felons to colonies, stating, "We used to transport people, nearly 300 years ago, from our country. Felons, who at least have had a trial, and been found guilty of something, albeit that the trial might have been cursory." He emphasized that such a policy is unsuitable for the 21st century.
The former Conservative leader expressed concern about society's negative perception of immigration, stating, "I dislike intensely the way society has come to regard immigration as an ill." This sentiment reflects the ongoing debate surrounding immigration policies in the UK, which has been a contentious issue for decades.
Major also addressed the current state of the Conservative Party, warning against a potential merger with Reform UK, a right-wing political party. He stated, "The only party that can legitimately appeal to the center-right is the Conservative Party. And that is what we have to do, we have to decide where our natural support really lies and appeal to them." He cautioned that a merger with Reform UK would be "fatal" for the Conservatives.
Regarding the upcoming Conservative leadership contest, Major expressed his desire to support a candidate who would address long-term problems and bring people back into the party who are "genuinely center-Right." The contenders mentioned include Robert Jenrick, Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly, and Tom Tugendhat.
When asked about the possibility of Nigel Farage joining the Conservative Party, Major firmly opposed the idea, stating, "I don't think he's a Conservative, and he's spent most of his time in the last few years telling people how much he dislikes the Conservative Party and would like to destroy it."
The interview also touched on the effectiveness of deterrence policies for small boat crossings. Major questioned the assumption that potential asylum seekers in North African countries would be aware of British legislation, highlighting the complex nature of migration issues.
As the Conservative Party faces challenges from right-wing parties and grapples with its future direction, Major's comments underscore the ongoing debate within British politics about immigration, party identity, and the path forward for center-right politics in the UK.
"I thought it was un-Conservative, un-British, if one dare say in a secular society, un-Christian, and unconscionable and I thought that this is really not the way to treat people."