Strengthening the Rwanda Bill is the only path to victory

Securing our borders is a fundamental responsibility of any government. On a purely practical basis, properly enforced borders keep us all safe. On a theoretical level, a state cannot be a sovereign if it loses the power to determine who enters and leaves its territory.

But for conservatives, who believe in the nation state as the most successful vehicle for peace and prosperity, secure borders are a core philosophical tenet. National identity - bound by shared memories, traditions and values - is a prerequisite for generosity in society and public service. When migration is uncontrolled and national identity frays, social trust and cohesion erode. I saw this painfully first-hand as immigration minister.

As politicians, we should take robust action to secure our borders for no other reason than because it is unequivocally the right thing to do for the country. That's why I feel so strongly about delivering an effective

Rwanda policy that successfully deters illegal small boat crossings. It's why I resigned in protest against a Bill that won't work and why Sir Bill Cash and I tabled a series of amendments to fix it.

But as representatives elected to advance the interests of our constituents in parliament, we also have a duty to listen to their voice. Today the most authoritative polling on immigration to date, published by

The Telegraph, shows the country speaks with one loud, unambiguous voice: strengthen the Bill.

When voters were asked what should happen to those who come to the UK illegally on a small boat from France, they overwhelmingly chose to back my proposals to remove them from the UK immediately without an appeal. Twenty-seven per cent agree with Labour's position that small boat migrants should not be removed. It's clear the public refuse to accept tinkering of a failed status quo.

In our first-past-the-post electoral system, what does that mean by constituency? The MRP poll shows that in 362 of the 365 seats the Conservatives won in 2019, the position my amendments take are the most popular option. Some people have sought to smear my amendments by saying I advance a fringe Rightwing opinion. They should note that in 310 of the 361 seats in England and Wales Labour is set to win, the policy I advocate is the favoured option.

Lasering in on the key group of voters - the Conservative defectors - who voted Conservative in 2019 but aren't set to anymore, 70 per cent back removing illegal migrants from the UK immediately with them being unable to challenge their removal.

Passing a Bill that 60 per cent of the public, including a clear majority of those who voted for us in 2019, believe will not work will only generate a tiny short-term political benefit.

The only path to victory at the next general election, and keeping out the open-borders Labour party, is to strengthen this Bill so that it stops the boats. It's a path the Conservative Party has one last chance to choose. It's the right thing to do for our country, and it's the right thing to do for democracy.