!['STOP PLAYING GAMES OVER BOATS CRISIS'](https://cdn.magzter.com/1583740907/1702177240/articles/Ur1kFJsZ91702183813496/STOP-PLAYING-GAMES-OVER-BOATS-CRISIS.jpg)
RISHI SUNAK last night told Labour to stop "playing games" and back his Rwanda scheme if they are serious about ending the small boats crisis.
In a direct challenge to Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister said Labour must "for once stop acting in their shortterm interests" and put the country first.
Opposing the scheme, which will be put to the vote on Tuesday, would prove they were "not fit to govern".
Mr Sunak declared: "If Labour votes against this plan it is clear they are not serious about stopping the boats and keeping people out of the clutches of people smugglers."
The PM is facing a crucial moment of his premiership, with threats to his flagship Rwanda scheme coming not just from the Opposition but from rebels in his own party. The fact he is openly challenging Sir Keir to back the Government in the “national interest” shows how much Tuesday’s vote is on a knife edge.
His stark words came as new migration minister Tom Pursglove said the Rwanda battle was a “defining moment” in the fight against illegal migration and warned: “The time for talking is over”.
MPs will vote on emergency legislation to make sure illegal migrants are sent to Rwanda for processing. Mr Sunak said: “This week, Labour needs for once to rise above political games. They need for once to stop acting in their short-term interests.
“They need to act in the national interest. The Conservatives are on the public’s side – and we will push on with our plan to stop the boats.”
In a personal message to Sunday Express readers, Mr Pursglove said the Government is determined to “tackle this problem once and for all”.
This story is from the December 10, 2023 edition of Sunday Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 10, 2023 edition of Sunday Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![TROPHIES TARGET FOR TOMMY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21160/1750004/n3FWwLIV_1719740852170/TROPHIES-TARGET-FOR-TOMMY.jpg)
TROPHIES TARGET FOR TOMMY
TOMMY DOYLE has no regrets about swapping Manchester City for Wolverhampton Wanderers.
![DON'T TAKE US HOME NOW](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21160/1750004/H1ke5Oe-X1719740682653/DONT-TAKE-US-HOME-NOW.jpg)
DON'T TAKE US HOME NOW
Relaxed Southgate wants knockout blow to reach century
![Fresh police probe into Fallen Sparrow' mystery](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21160/1750004/1Mm5XvAi01719740565471/FRESH-POLICE-PROBE-INTO-FALLEN-SPARROW-MYSTERY.jpg)
Fresh police probe into Fallen Sparrow' mystery
A FRESH police investigation could finally bring closure for a vicar and his wife who have watched over the tiny grave of an unknown baby girl for the past 42 years.
![Israel's threat to 'reduce Beirut to rubble'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21160/1750004/Qx5JrcAAD1719740367377/ISRAELS-THREAT-TO-REDUCE-BEIRUT-TO-RUBBLE.jpg)
Israel's threat to 'reduce Beirut to rubble'
ISRAEL is prepared to use the full might of its armed forces to “reduce Beirut to rubble” in the next few weeks if a diplomatic solution with Hezbollah isn’t found.
![Griff: I was stalked like Baby Reindeer](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21160/1750004/OserL5Roj1719740234931/GRIFF-I-WAS-STALKED-LIKE-BABY-REINDEER.jpg)
Griff: I was stalked like Baby Reindeer
GRIFF Rhys Jones has revealed he once had a stalker who threatened to kill him.
![Thatcher son's 'coup hotel' is being razed](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21160/1750004/MiZ5lPWZR1719740123012/THATCHER-SONS-COUP-HOTEL-IS-BEING-RAZED.jpg)
Thatcher son's 'coup hotel' is being razed
A SOUTH African mansion where former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s son Mark hosted a group of ex-SAS mercenaries plotting a notorious coup attempt is being demolished.
![Trauma for acid victim Katie Piper over stalker release bid](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21160/1750004/iTLyRa5Zo1719740029109/TRAUMA-FOR-ACID-VICTIM-KATIE-PIPER-OVER-STALKER-RELEASE-BID.jpg)
Trauma for acid victim Katie Piper over stalker release bid
KATIE Piper could see the obsessive stalker who plotted the devastating acid attack on her released from prison.
![Does Jill hold key after Biden's debate debacle?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21160/1750004/e4MLSvfeX1719739867376/DOES-JILL-HOLD-KEY-AFTER-BIDENS-DEBATE-DEBACLE.jpg)
Does Jill hold key after Biden's debate debacle?
JOE Biden’s wife Jill holds the key to her husband’s future, following his dismal TV presidential debate with Donald Trump, according to close aides and experts.
![Hey Jude, score us a birthday belter!](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21160/1750004/oECb7Ogb91719739667450/HEY-JUDE-SCORE-US-A-BIRTHDAY-BELTER.jpg)
Hey Jude, score us a birthday belter!
THE Three Lions were finally on song yesterday as they belted out a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday for Jude Bellingham and Eberechi Eze.
![Dad's anger at trolls as Jay hunt goes on](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/21160/1750004/Kb8-TPhRu1719739357982/DADS-ANGER-AT-TROLLS-AS-JAY-HUNT-GOES-ON.jpg)
Dad's anger at trolls as Jay hunt goes on
JAY Slater's father yesterday slammed internet trolls who have criticised the family for \"not looking hard enough\" for the missing teenager.