Most MPs in Kent are set to back the Prime Minister in a crucial vote tonight on his controversial plan to process asylum seekers in Rwanda.

Damian Green, who represents Ashford, and Gordon Henderson, the MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey, say they will both support the government.

Mr Henderson says most of his Tory colleagues in the county will follow suit.

Some believe if Rishi Sunak loses the vote on the flagship Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill, a snap election could be triggered.

Mr Green, who heads the One Nation Conservative group, says it is important MPs remain loyal.

“The government expects [the Rwanda scheme] to radically reduce or eliminate the cross-Channel traffic – and if it does that, then it is absolutely worth it,” he said.

“We know in Kent the effects of boats crossing the Channel.

“If this proves to be the case, it meets our international obligations; it allows people their basic human rights of access to the courts if they have a compelling and serious case to say that Rwanda is not a safe place.”

He added that the One Nation group felt it important to be supportive of the Prime Minister.

“Obviously we are supporting him on this challenge,” Mr Green said.

“We want him to pass the Bill as the government has put it forward. Those who are challenging his authority are people who are saying to him to drop the Bill altogether; that is the problem.”

Sittingbourne and Sheppey MP Gordon Henderson says he will also be supporting the government.

“I think it is a very good Bill and I am surprised that any of my colleagues are hesitating.” the Conservative said.

“I think more of this is being made of this than is the case; there are a handful of MPs wandering around warning of diabolical things.

“But I can assure you that most of my colleagues in Kent will be supporting the government, so far as I am aware.”

Asked if he was worried about the costs associated with the Rwanda scheme, he said: “The Bill itself is not costly… the costs so far are about a week’s worth of putting asylum seekers in hotels and the sooner we stop that, the better.”

Kent’s only Labour MP Rosie Duffield, who represents Canterbury, says she will vote against the Bill.

It comes amid reports the processing site for aslyum seekers in Manston site is set to become permanent, along with a second location in Dover.

The plans came to light after the publication of papers relating to a procurement process inviting interested groups to apply to run the centres.