Priti Patel Vows to Tackle Illegal Immigration in Conservative Leadership Bid

A Focus on Immigration and Third-Party Deportations

Priti Patel, the former Home Secretary, has officially launched her bid to replace Rishi Sunak as Conservative leader. In her campaign launch, she emphasized her commitment to tackling illegal immigration, including the potential revival of Rwanda-style deportations for asylum seekers to third-party countries.

Patel defended her record as Home Secretary, highlighting the implementation of the National Borders Act and the development of a new immigration plan. She also expressed her disappointment at Labour's cancellation of the Rwanda scheme, which she believes could have been an effective deterrent against illegal immigration.

While Patel avoided explicitly mentioning "Rwanda" or "Reform" in her speech, her focus on third-party deportations and her association with former Reform UK candidate Howard Cox suggest a clear appeal to the right wing of the Conservative Party.

Patel also addressed the issue of record immigration numbers during her tenure as Home Secretary. She refused to apologize, stating that she had put systems in place to reduce immigration levels.

In her speech, Patel criticized Labour's policies, including the cancellation of the winter fuel allowance and the proposed four-day work week. She accused Labour of lacking a growth plan and imposing unnecessary burdens on businesses.

Patel pledged to introduce an elected party chairperson and reform the parliamentary candidate selection process if elected leader. She also expressed her belief that Conservative values remain relevant and shared by the majority of the public.

With the Conservative leadership race underway, Priti Patel's focus on immigration and her appeal to the right wing of the party will be key factors in her campaign.