One step forward, two steps back for Rishi Sunak

The View from Westminster

Wednesday, November 15, 2023 One step forward, two steps back for Sunak Rishi Sunak started the day on a high having met his number one pledge to halve inflation. He even patted himself on the back with a series of celebratory posts on X.   But the prime minister was quickly hit by a devastating setback as his Rwanda asylum plan was deemed unlawful by the Supreme Court, leaving his fifth pledge to "stop the boats" in tatters.  The plan to deport asylum seekers arriving in Britain by irregular routes was meant to act as a deterrent, cutting the number of small boat crossings and breaking the business model of people smugglers. But without a plan B, the PM has been warned the court defeat will "embolden the people smugglers and put more lives at risk".  With a slew of frontbench resignations expected over the party's refusal to back a ceasefire in Gaza, Labour will be celebrating Rwanda's domination of the headlines.  Quiz question  What is the smallest constituency in the UK by area? Answer at the bottom of today's email Daily briefing Starmer braced for resignations as he orders MPs not to back Gaza motion The Labour leader has called for a humanitarian pause in the war but warned a ceasefire would only allow Hamas to regroup. Defiant Sunak vows to change law to deport migrants and 'stop the boats' The Supreme Court has ruled against Rishi Sunak's flagship Rwanda deportation plan Boost for Rishi Sunak as he meets pledge to halve inflation Wednesday's dip in inflation means Rishi Sunak has fulfilled one of the five pledges he set out in January Most commented Articles driving the biggest conversations 'How much?!' Nigel Farage jokes over bumper payday for entering I'm A Celebrity What does the Rwanda policy court ruling mean for the government? What else do you need to know today? ● David Cameron's appointment as foreign secretary is being celebrated in Chinese state media for his "unique understanding" of the Sino-UK relationship. ● Spain's acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will defend his controversial amnesty deal for Catalonia's separatists in parliament as part of a debate before seeking the endorsement of the chamber to form a new government ● Rishi Sunak's government announced sanctions against four senior Hamas leaders and two of the group's financiers ● Official figures showed rents surging at a record rate while house prices fell annually for the first time in more than a decade Reading list ● The FT's Valentina Romei looks at why the UK is struggling to attract foreign direct investment ●The Fence Magazine decides who is Britain's hardest politician ● And the Institute for Government's Rhys Clyne argues Rishi Sunak has backed himself into a corner with the Rwanda plan - as Suella Braverman warned Inside the bubble Our chief political commentator John Rentoul on what to look out for tomorrow A quiet day in the Commons. Culture, media and sport questions to Lucy Frazer and her junior ministers at 9.30am, followed by a general debate about Cop28, the next climate change summit to be held in the United Arab Emirates at the end of the month.   The Public Accounts Committee will take evidence from the Department for Transport and HS2 Ltd about HS2 and rebuilding Euston station at 10am.  Quotation of the day "I'm fed up with the Punch and Judy politics of Westminster, the name calling, backbiting, point scoring, finger pointing," David Cameron on becoming Tory leader in 2005  Quiz answer: Jeremy Corbyn's Islington North at 7.35 square kilometres  The Independent proudly partners with Refuge and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 Join the conversation or follow us Download the free Independent app Please do not reply directly to this email   You are currently registered to receive The Independent's View From Westminster newsletter.   To unsubscribe from The Independent's View From Westminster newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click here.   This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345 Read our privacy notice and cookie policy