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Friday, Mar 20, 2026

Rishi Sunak Shelves Rwanda and Smoking Policies Ahead of Election

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has dropped key policies on deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda and banning smoking for young people on the first day of his election campaign. This move has left his legislative agenda in disarray. Labour leader Keir Starmer criticized the government's instability and promised to address these issues if elected.
On the first day of his election campaign, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak abandoned his major policies on deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda and banning smoking for young people.

This decision has left his legislative agenda in disarray.

The suspension of Parliament means other key proposals, like ending no-fault evictions and introducing a football regulator, are also likely to be dropped.

Labour leader Keir Starmer criticized the government's instability and promised to address these issues.

Sunak's £500m plan to fly asylum seekers to Rwanda will not commence until after the election, causing frustration among his party members.

Additionally, Sunak's promise to ban tobacco sales to young people appears unlikely to proceed before the election.

The delay in passing 'Martyn's Law,' aimed at improving venue security after the Manchester Arena bombing, has also drawn criticism.

The government did, however, assure compensation for victims of the contaminated blood scandal and exoneration for post office operators affected by the Horizon IT scandal.
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