Lee Anderson says he did not vote in opposition to Rwanda Bill as different MPs laughed at him
Tory hardman Lee Anderson has whined that he could not vote in opposition to Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda Bill – as a result of Labour MPs have been laughing at him.
The loudmouth Conservative had been anticipated to oppose the laws after dramatically quitting as social gathering deputy chairman in protest. He stated he deliberate to vote it down, however ended up strolling out after listening to opponents “giggling” and “taking the mick”.
Just 11 indignant Tories adopted by means of on their threats to vote in opposition to the Safety of Rwanda Bill after weeks of posturing. Before the crunch vote Mr Anderson had backed a collection of amendments which have been aimed toward beefing up the Bill.
But explaining why he misplaced his nerve to GB News, the channel that pays him £100,000 a yr as a presenter, Mr Anderson stated: “I used to be going to vote no. I went into the no foyer to vote no, as a result of I could not see how might help the invoice after backing all of the amendments.
“I obtained into the no foyer I spent about two or three minutes with a colleague in there. The Labour lot have been guffawing and laughing and taking the mick and I could not do it. In my coronary heart of hearts I couldn’t vote no.
“So I walked out, and I had come out, so I’ve abstained. I wanted to vote no, but when I saw that lot in there laughing, there’s no way I could support them above the party that’s given me a political home.”
His remarks have been met with derision. Lib Dem chief whip Wendy Chamberlain posted on Twitter: “Real conviction in the right of your cause displayed by Lee Anderson there.” Another Twitter person quipped: “You can imagine 30p Lee in the trenches can’t you?”
Mr Anderson is nicknamed 30p Lee after he claimed it was attainable to cook dinner household meals for this sum. He walked out on Tuesday alongside fellow deputy chairman Brendan Clarke-Smith, who bafflingly voted for Mr Sunak’s Bill.
Earlier this week Mr Clarke-Smith stated he can be backing amendments put ahead by rebels Robert Jenrick and Sir Bill Cash. He wrote: “When I was elected in 2019 I promised my constituents we would take back control. I want this legislation to be as strong as possible and therefore I will be supporting the Jenrick/Cash amendments. These are arguments I have consistently made and will continue to make.”
The change of coronary heart by right-wing Tories – a lot of who voted for the laws regardless of believing it should fail to cease the boats – spared Mr Sunak a humiliating defeat. Dozens of rebels backed down on the eleventh hour as they feared toppling the Government in the event that they voted in opposition to the Bill. In a bruising Commons showdown, Tory MPs together with Suella Braverman warned the laws will not work – however not sufficient of them voted in opposition to it to torpedo it.
The Bill handed by 320 to 276 – a majority of 44. An additional 18 Tories, together with Mr Anderson, right-winger Jonathan Gullis and ex-PM Theresa May didn’t forged a vote.
The 11 Conservatives who did vote in opposition to the Government have been Ms Braverman, Sir Bill Cash, Miriam Cates, Sir Simon Clarke, Sarah Dines, Sir James Duddrige, Mark Francois, Dame Andrea Jenkyns, Mr Jenrick, David Jones and Danny Kruger.
