Tory climate minister to make 6,800-mile round trip from Dubai for Rwanda vote
A Tory climate minister has been forced to make a 6,800 mile round trip from Dubai to attend a crunch vote on Rwanda.
In a sign of the desperation in No10 as Rishi Sunak battles to fight off a Tory revolt, Graham Stuart, who is leading the No10's negotiating team at the climate summit COP28 in Dubai, was ordered to return to the UK. The PM's official spokesman confirmed Mr Stuart will then return to climate talks in the UAE after the vote - prompting outage from environmental campaigners.
Oxfam blasted: “There can be no more tragic outcome for UK climate diplomacy than this – flying home from talks to avert a climate catastrophe at the most critical moment in an attempt to salvage a cruel and impractical policy.” ActionAid UK also described Mr Stuart's hasty departure as a "slap in the face" to countries urging the world's largest polluters to act.
The charity added: "In a shocking betrayal of trust as COP wraps up, the Prime Minister seems happier to fight the culture wars and not climate change."
Labour's Shadow Climate and Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband added: "The sad truth is that, thanks to Rishi Sunak tanking Britain's reputation on the world stage, many countries simply won't even notice that his minister has disappeared. Graham Stuart flying home in the middle of negotiations tells you everything you need to know about the Tories."
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Asked about the carbon emissions from the flights, the PM's official spokesman told reporters: "This Government is not anti-flying. We don't lecture the public in that regard. "The most important thing is the outcomes of COP, which Minister Stuart is obviously leading for the UK on."
The desperate move comes as the PM scrambles to shore up support for a key vote on the Rwanda deportation scheme on Tuesday evening in the Commons. Just 28 rebels are needed to wipe out the PM's majority, forcing Downing Street to ensure every supportive MP casts a vote.
Right-wing Tory MPs are threatening to torpedo the plans and have called Mr Sunak to drop the Safety of Rwanda Bill that "doesn't go far enough". They are expected to meet again on Tuesday evening to make a final decision on whether to vote against the legislation.
No10 said the Government is open to "constructive comments" from Tory MPs over the Rwanda legislation. The spokesman added: "The Prime Minister and other ministers will continue to engage with colleagues as is normal. Obviously, we will listen carefully to constructive comments."
Asked if it was Mr Sunak's position that the Bill cannot be stronger, he said: "We are willing to listen to constructive comments from colleagues. We believe this is a tough piece of legislation which will achieve its objectives and the public's objectives of stopping the boats. And we've been very clear on the parameters under which we need to operate as have the Rwandan government."
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