General election 2024 live: Nigel Farage accuses Sunak over Rwanda flights as Reform overtake Tories in poll

Nigel Farage, the former leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP), has accused Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of "capitulating" to the European Union over his handling of the Rwanda asylum seeker scheme. Farage, who now leads the Reform UK party, made the accusation after a High Court ruling halted the first deportation flight to Rwanda. The court found that the scheme was unlawful, and the government is appealing the decision. Sunak has defended the policy, saying it is necessary to deter people from making dangerous journeys to the UK. However, Farage said the government's decision to appeal the ruling showed that Sunak was "not serious" about stopping illegal immigration. Meanwhile, a new poll has shown that Reform UK has overtaken the Conservative Party in the polls for the first time. The poll, conducted by YouGov, found that Reform UK is now on 20%, while the Conservatives are on 19%. The poll also showed that Labour is currently leading the polls, with 35% of the vote. The Conservative Party has been struggling in the polls recently, with voters unhappy with the government's handling of the economy and cost of living crisis. The rise of Reform UK is likely to be a further headache for Sunak, who is already facing pressure from within his own party to do more to address the issue of illegal immigration.

Summary

"The article discusses the ongoing legal battles surrounding the Rwanda asylum seeker scheme and the potential impact on the upcoming general election. It highlights the political maneuvering of various parties, particularly the rise of Reform UK and the pressure on Rishi Sunak to address public concerns over immigration and the economy."

Updated at: 06.16.2024