New polling by Focaldata for British Future finds only a quarter of the public would consider planes taking off to as a ‘success’ for the Rwanda policy, with 4 in 10 needing to see small boat arrivals cut in half before the policy could be considered a success. The survey finds:
- Only a quarter (24%) of the public would consider planes taking off for Rwanda as a successful outcome of the Rwanda policy – more (38%) would need to see small boat arrivals reduced by 50%, because of the Rwanda scheme, before the policy could be considered a success. A further 25% oppose the scheme and can’t see a successful outcome at all.
- Only a third of the public (34%) think people who have worked as translators for UK Armed forces in Afghanistan should be sent to Rwanda if they try to seek asylum in Britain, while a majority (52%) think they should not.
- Only 4 in 10 people (37%) think the government should keep trying to pass the Rwanda Bill if there are more delays, while 52% think they should try something new.
Commenting on the new findings Sunder Katwala, Director of British Future, said:
“Rishi Sunak’s real problems could be just beginning now the Rwanda Bill has made it through Parliament. Only a quarter of people think a plane taking off to Rwanda would count as success for the policy. More would need to see a dramatic reduction in small boats before they feel the Rwanda scheme has been effective.
“Most people also feel that the Lords are right to take a stand. Most support the amendment to protect UK armed forces translators from the threat of removal to Rwanda.
“The Rwanda scheme continues to divide opinion along political lines. Conservatives will be cheered if Rishi Sunak gets his policy through, but he must then make it work. Keir Starmer’s voters will expect him to come up with something different.“
The survey, which was conducted 19-22 April 2024 by Focaldata with a nationally representative sample of 1,055 GB adults aged 18+, also found:
- Less than half the public (46%) thinks the government’s main motivation for the Rwanda scheme is that they think it can actually deter people from arriving on small boats, while a similar number (40%) think it’s mainly about the election and politics.
- More people (46%) think Labour should scrap the Rwanda scheme if it comes to power, than keep it (40%). Most Labour supporters (59%) think a Labour government should scrap the Rwanda policy, as do a third of Conservatives (34%).
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