LONDON: British PM Rishi Sunak faces a potential revolt from within his party ranks over new legislation that is set to criminalise homelessness.
According to a ‘Times’ report on Monday, several Conservative Party MPs have warned that they will vote against the measures in the ‘Criminal Justice Bill’ in House of Commons. The proposals, which had been unveiled by former Indian-origin home secretary Suella Braverman, would mean rough sleepers in England and Wales could be fined as much as 2,500 or face prison terms.
“A lot of colleagues believe that the bill as it stands is completely unacceptable because it would have the effect of criminalising people who have no choice but to sleep on the streets,” said Tory MP Bob Blackman, who is also joint secretary of the powerful Conservative backbench 1922 committee.
The bill is designed to present Conservatives as tough on crime as it prepares for a gruelling election campaign, with the odds stacked against it due to anti-incumbency sentiments.