Sir John Major has blasted the previous governments Rwanda scheme as un-Conservative and un-British, claiming the policy was not fit for the 21st century.
The former prime minister said he dislikes intensely the way society has come to regard immigration as an ill and warned that a Tory merger with Reform UK would be fatal.
Sir John, in an interview with the BBCs Amol Rajan, said: I thought it was un-Conservative, un-British, if one dare say in a secular society, un-Christian, and unconscionable and I thought that this is really not the way to treat people.
The policy, which was scrapped by Sir Keir Starmer in July, aimed to deter asylum seekers by sending those who arrived in the UK illegally to the east African country.
Labour has now announced that money allocated to pay for the previous governments Rwanda scheme will go towards the Border Security Command.
Former Prime Minister Sir John Major (pictured in February) has blasted the Tory governments Rwanda scheme as un-Conservative and un-British, claiming the policy was not fit for the 21st century
The policy, which was scrapped by Sir Keir Starmer in July, aimed to deter asylum seekers by sending those who arrived in the UK illegally to the east African country. Pictured: A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent on September 3, 2024
Sir John told Mr Rajan: We used to transport people, nearly 300 years ago, from our country. Felons, who at least have had a trial, and been found guilty of something, albeit that the trial might have been cursory.
I dont think transportation, for that is what it is, is a policy suitable for the 21st century.
Pressed on whether the policy acts as a deterrent, Sir John replied: Are they seriously saying to me that somewhere in the back woods of some North Africa country, they actually know what the British Parliament has legislated for? I think not.
Sir John (pictured during his time as PM) served as prime minister from November 1990 to May 1997
Sir John said he dislikes intensely the way society has come to regard immigration as an ill in the way it has. I dont agree with that, Ive never agreed with it.
He added that people who come to the UK on small boats do so because theyre not quite sure where to go.
Sir John, who served as prime minister from November 1990 to May 1997, said he had not decided which Tory leadership contender to support, with Robert Jenrick, Kemi Badenoch, James Cleverly and Tom Tugendhat standing.
He said: I would like to support someone whos going to look at the long-term problems and make a suggestion as to which direction we should go and bring people back into the party who are genuinely centre right.
He added: The only party that can legitimately appeal to the centre right is the Conservative Party. And that is what we have to do, we have to decide where our natural support really lies and appeal to them.
People may have made a misjudgement about the last election. We lost five votes (seats) to Reform UK and people are jumping up and down, and some, rather reckless people are saying, well we must merge with them.
Well, that will be fatal.
Sir John, i n an interview with the BBC s Amol Rajan, said: I thought it was un-Conservative, un-British, if one dare say in a secular society, un-Christian, and unconscionable and I thought that this is really not the way to treat people. He is pictured with Mr Rajan
On whether Nigel Farage (pictureed) should join the Tory party, Sir John said he does not share that view, adding: I dont think hes a Conservative, and hes spent most of his time in the last few years telling people how much he dislikes the Conservative Party and would like to destroy it. I dont think thats a terribly good background for bringing someone into the party
He continued: I do think traditionally we have been a commonsense party. And Im optimistic. I think we have had such a bad defeat, we have got a base upon which we can build, in a wholly new and, I think, potentially effective way.
On whether Nigel Farage should join the Tory party, Sir John said he does not share that view, adding: I dont think hes a Conservative, and hes spent most of his time in the last few years telling people how much he dislikes the Conservative Party and would like to destroy it.
I dont think thats a terribly good background for bringing someone into the party.