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Long gone are the days of Leave versus Remain. But the Conservative Party and its varied factions are still able to draw battle lines between one another when MPs face a crucial vote.

This week, the focus will be on Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda bill – his attempt to revive the scheme, ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court, that would see asylum seekers arriving by small boat crossings deported to the African nation.

The bill passed its second reading in a crunch Commons vote just before Christmas.

But it will return for its next parliamentary stages on Tuesday and Wednesday this week – and the different factions are still causing the prime minister trouble.

So who are the different groups on the Tory benches? And what do they want?

European Research Group

This gang of MPs is the most well-known of the so-called “five families” of right-wing groups within the Conservative Party.

It became a household name during Brexit years, dominating the headlines with its own demands for exiting the EU, but has kept relatively quiet since the deal was done – except for calling key elements of the Windsor Framework “practically useless”.

The Eurosceptic group is currently chaired by Mark Francois, but saw many of its members promoted to ministerial positions after Boris Johnson came to power – including Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, Suella Braverman and Steve Baker.

Now, the ERG is leading the fight once again over the Rwanda bill, calling for the prime minister to scrap his current plan, start again and go further in ignoring international treaties and limiting the ability for asylum seekers to take appeals to court.

Jacob Rees-Mogg speaks at a meeting of the pro-Brexit European Research Group in London
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Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg used to chair the ERG before he was made a minister by Boris Johnson

New Conservatives

The newest kids on the block, this group is made up of 25 Tory backbenchers predominantly from so-called “Red Wall” seats that the party won from Labour in recent elections.

All of the members only entered parliament after 2016 – since the Brexit referendum took place – and say they are determined to focus the party on delivering on the 2019 manifesto, where Mr Johnson won a significant majority on his promises to “get Brexit done” and “level up” the country.

One of its first events as it sought to raise its public profile was outlining its 10-point plan for immigration, causing controversy with its call to end the temporary visa scheme for care workers and cap the number of refugees who can settle in the UK.

Now, its right-wing members have raised doubts over Mr Sunak’s Rwanda bill.

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Who are the New Conservatives?

Northern Research Group

Perhaps the precursor to the New Conservatives, this faction was also born from the 2019 election victories in the Red Wall, promising to focus on the interests of the towns and cities that make up the Tories’ “Northern Powerhouse”.

With around 55 MPs from the north of England, Scottish borders and North Wales – led by the now-former chairman of the party, Sir Jake Berry – the group has expanded its remit somewhat, speaking out against COVID lockdowns and business taxes, as well as pushing for its core goals around devolution, transport and investment.

But as the third of the five families of those on the right, its support could be crucial to seeing the Rwanda legislation become law.

The group also holds a conference every year, attracting senior members of government to speak and attempt to keep the powerful bloc onside.

Conservative Party chairman Jake Berry speaking at the Conservative Party annual conference at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham. Picture date: Wednesday October 5, 2022.
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Sir Jake Berry served as party chairman under Liz Truss

Common Sense Group

This collective of around 50 MPs and peers says it “stands for authentic conservatism”, with many of the issues it focuses on falling squarely into the culture wars category.

From slamming the National Trust for publicising Winston Churchill’s family links to slavery, to attacking Black Lives Matter and Extinction Rebellion as “subversives fuelled by ignorance”, the group – led by veteran backbencher Sir John Hayes – calls on the government to “reflect the will of the people, rather than pandering to the peculiar preoccupations of the liberal elite and the distorted priorities of left-wing activists”.

It has published its own set of essays to highlight its concerns, with titles including, “The judicial activists threatening our democracy”, “Taking politics out of policing”, and “The case for strengthening families”.

And the group takes a strong stance when it comes to immigration, so a question mark remains over whether Mr Sunak’s bill goes far enough for this group.

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Security minister John Hayes at the Conservative Party Conference in 2011.
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Sir John Hayes leads the group that focuses on culture war issues

Conservative Growth Group

The final of the “five families”, this group came to life after the short-lived premiership of Liz Truss, who was ousted from Number 10 after just 49 days following her disastrous mini-budget.

But while the party may have pushed for her undoing, her approach to tearing up the “economic orthodoxy” of the Treasury still garners the support of a number of backbenchers – especially those who enjoyed equally short-lived ministerial careers while she was in office.

There are only thought to be around 20 members in the group, including Ms Truss herself, but they are pushing for popular policies in the party, such as tax cuts and deregulation, as the best way for growing the British economy.

It is chaired by Ranil Jayawardena, who was environment secretary while Ms Truss was prime minister.

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Truss ‘tried to fatten and slaughter the pig’

One Nation caucus

In stark contrast to the previous five, this group – established back in 1975 – promotes the One Nation Conservative ideology, a more centrist approach to both the economy and social policy.

Despite dominating the party during the David Cameron years, many of the One Nation group fell out of favour during the tumultuous Brexit debate due to their support for Remain, with Mr Johnson kicking a number of them out of the party for failing to back his exit plans.

But while they may have been in the shadows in recent years, there are still over 100 members in parliament – with some former figures, such as Alex Chalk and Gillian Keegan, making it onto the frontbench – and they are starting to peek out above the parapet again.

Britain's Prime Minister and Conservative Party leader David Cameron (L) walks with Chancellor George Osborne during their visit to Marston's Brewery in Wolverhampton, central England April 1, 2015. Britain will go to the polls in a national election on May 7. REUTERS/Leon Neal/pool
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Before Brexit, One Nation Tories were an influential force in the party – especially under David Cameron and George Osborne

Recent issues being raised have included a call to focus on policies for winning back younger voters – such as rental reform and childcare.

But they are now seen as a key faction for the prime minister to keep onside to ensure the success of the Rwanda plan.

The group has offered its support to Mr Sunak so far, and pledged to back the bill.

But with its more liberal outlook – and having voiced concerns about the prospect of leaving (or break) international human rights treaties – the members have also said they will pull their backing if the prime minister bends to the will of those on the right and goes too far.

Away from the Rwanda row, there are other factions in the party who all want to have their voices heard by the leadership on their main issues of concern.

Conservative Democratic Organisation

This is another group formed after Ms Truss’s exit, but with fierce loyalty to her predecessor, Mr Johnson.

The CDO was furious with how Mr Sunak had been chosen as the new leader – without a vote of the membership – calling it “undemocratic”, and promised to “take back control” of the party with its grassroots movement.

But it is not just leadership elections it wants to influence. The organisation hopes to “steer [the Tories’] political direction back to the centre-right”, with specific calls for tax cuts and attacks on the current PM for failing to provide them.

Key figures include billionaire Conservative donor Lord Cruddas, the party’s former treasurer, and key Johnson ally and former home secretary Dame Priti Patel.

It has already held a conference, with other Johnson backers like Nadine Dorries and Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg attending to give speeches.

Priti Patel
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Priti Patel is one of the members spearheading the group

China Research Group

Another hot topic within Conservative ranks is the best way to approach China, and this group was set up to amplify that debate.

It was co-founded and chaired by the now security minister Tom Tugendhat – an outspoken critic of the country, who has highlighted the dangers of its technological influence, its human rights record, and its ongoing sanctioning of UK politicians.

While its former chair now finds himself on the frontbench, the voices calling for tougher action on Beijing are growing and questioning the current administration’s desire to engage with China, rather than calling it out for being a threat.

Foreign Affairs Committee chair Alicia Kearns now leads the group.

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‘Your backbenchers pulled you back’

Net Zero Scrutiny Group/Conservative Environment Network

Climate policies have been a central bone of contention for Tory MPs in recent months – especially after the party managed to cling on to Mr Johnson’s former seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip in a by-election by focusing on residents’ anger of the expansion of London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).

The victory saw a number of the party’s green policies brought into question, with Mr Sunak pledging to only roll them out in a “proportionate and pragmatic way” and watering down a number of promises.

But the legal obligation to hit net zero by 2050 – a law brought in by the Conservatives – has long caused rows, with two groups being formed to represent both sides of the argument.

Minister for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation, Chris Skidmore, addresses the Universities UK Conference at the University of Birmingham. PA Photo. Picture date: Thursday September 12, 2019. See PA story EDUCATION Universities. Photo credit should read: Joe Giddens/PA Wire
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Chris Skidmore (L) and Craig Mackinlay (R) chair opposing groups when it comes to net zero

The Net Zero Scrutiny Group insists it is not climate sceptic, but instead says government policies have gone too far, too fast, contributing to the cost of living crisis.

The group of 50 or so MPs and peers – led by former UKIP deputy leader Craig Mackinlay – wants green levies to be scrapped, saying they are hitting the poorest the hardest, and wants the government to ramp up fossil fuel production at home.

On the other hand, there is the Conservative Environment Network (CEN), which claims to have over 130 MPs and peers backing its mission to “champion greater environmental action in parliament”.

It says Conservative voters don’t want to see a row about whether net zero is worth it or not, but a debate on the right policies to achieve it.

A smaller faction echoing the sentiments of the CEN is led by Tory MP Chris Skidmore and is known as the Net Zero Support Group, which aims to “demonstrate and maintain Conservative support for net zero carbon emissions and policies needed to deliver this”.

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Part of Birmingham ‘can’t be no-go area for Jews’, cabinet minister tells Sky News

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Part of Birmingham 'can't be no-go area for Jews', cabinet minister tells Sky News

Aston in Birmingham can’t become a “no-go area” for Jews, a senior cabinet minister has told Sky News, amid controversy over fans of an Israeli football club being barred from attending a match next month.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said he “profoundly” disagrees with the “approach” taken by a local MP who started a petition calling for fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv to be banned from the Aston Villa game, saying it “cannot be the basis on which our country operates”.

But while he said the government is “working with the relevant authorities” to overturn the move, he can not guarantee it will happen.

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Villa Park. PA
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Villa Park. PA

Alongside politicians of all parties, Sir Keir Starmer has strongly criticised the decision, calling it “wrong”, and the government has said it will work with local authorities to ensure both sets of fans can attend.

Speaking to Sky’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, Mr Miliband said work is still ongoing.

“We are working with the relevant authorities on this issue, he said. “I think the principle here is we do not want a situation where people of a particular faith or from a particular country can’t come to a football match because of their faith, because of where they’re coming from.”

Asked if Maccabi Tel Aviv fans will definitely be able to attend the game, the minister replied: “I’m not going to say come what may, but I’m giving you a very, very clear indication of what we are working towards, which is that, you know, the fans from both teams can attend the match.”

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Miliband on Israeli football fan ban

Phillips put to Mr Miliband that a petition to ban their fans, launched by local independent MP Ayoub Khan, has been signed by nearly 4,000 people. It states the upcoming game is “not a normal match” because the Israeli fans would be arriving in “Aston, a diverse and predominantly Muslim community”.

Asked if Aston is now a no-go area for Jews, Mr Miliband replied: “No and it can’t be. And I’m very, very clear about that.

“I believe we as a country, we pride ourselves on our diversity, but also our tolerance and our hatred of prejudice, frankly. And so we cannot have a situation where any area is a no-go area for people of a particular religion or from a particular country.”

Asked if the local MP was justified in what he wrote, Mr Miliband replied: “No. I profoundly disagree with that approach, with what is being said in that petition, because that cannot be the basis on which our country operates.”

This isn’t how the vast majority of people in the UK operate, he added. “So let’s not take this petition and say it paints a picture of our country.”

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Aston Villa fan says he has received death threats.

Top Tory criticises ‘sectarian politics’

His Tory counterpart, Claire Coutinho, was highly critical of the petition, telling Phillips: “I think politicians need to have the courage to name some of the problems that this country is facing. And one of those problems is political Islam.

“Now, that’s not to say the moderate Muslim community are a problem in Britain, but we have seen in the past extremist Islamism […] and now we are seeing a movement of people – last election, five MPs elected – simply on sectarian politics. That may be higher at the next election.

“So we have to grip this, and part of that is dealing with rising antisemitism. But part of that is dealing with integration.”

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Tory calls out ‘lack of integration’

The senior Tory MP described the ban overall as a “disgrace”, saying: “I think the message that is being sent to Jewish people in this country is that they’re not welcome here.

“This has always been a safe haven for Jewish people, and I think to say that we could not possibly police Israeli Jewish fans to watch a football match safely is reinforcing that message that Jews are not welcome here. And I think that is wrong.”

Match classified as ‘high risk’

In a statement on Thursday, Aston Villa said Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG) – which issues safety certificates for every match at the ground – had “formally written to the club and UEFA to advise no away fans will be permitted to attend” the fixture at Villa Park on 6 November, as it had been classified as “high risk”.

The club said police had advised of “public safety concerns outside the stadium bowl and the ability to deal with any potential protests on the night” – a statement that triggered outrage across the political spectrum.

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Will ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv fans from Aston Villa be lifted?

The move has been condemned by political and Jewish leaders, including Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar, who called it a “shameful decision”.

The Jewish Leadership Council said it was “perverse” to ban away fans because police can’t guarantee their safety, adding: “Aston Villa should face the consequences of this decision and the match should be played behind closed doors.”

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Sky News has contacted Mr Khan for a response to the comments made this morning.

Former Labour leader and now independent MP Jeremy Corbyn defended his fellow member of the Independent Alliance group in parliament yesterday, writing on X: “Ayoub Khan has been subject to disgusting smears by MPs and journalists, who have wilfully misrepresented his views in order to stoke anger and division.”

He added that he and his colleagues “diligently represent people of all faiths and none in their communities”.

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Chinese tech giants halt Hong Kong stablecoin plans amid Beijing concerns: FT

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Chinese tech giants halt Hong Kong stablecoin plans amid Beijing concerns: FT

Chinese tech giants halt Hong Kong stablecoin plans amid Beijing concerns: FT

Ant Group and JD.com have paused their stablecoin initiatives in Hong Kong after Beijing regulators raised concerns over private firms issuing digital currencies.

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Japan’s FSA weighs allowing banks to hold Bitcoin, other cryptos: Report

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Japan’s FSA weighs allowing banks to hold Bitcoin, other cryptos: Report

Japan’s FSA weighs allowing banks to hold Bitcoin, other cryptos: Report

Japan’s Financial Services Agency is weighing reforms that could let banks hold cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and operate licensed crypto exchanges.

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