Rishi Sunak, the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister, has successfully navigated through a Conservative rebellion, as the controversial Rwanda bill passed its final stage in the House of Commons. The bill, which seeks to establish Rwanda as a safe country for deporting asylum seekers, passed with a majority of 44 votes – 320 in favor and 276 against.
Despite some resistance within his party, only 11 Tory MPs voted against the bill. Notable dissenters included former home secretary Suella Braverman and former immigration minister Robert Jenrick. Among the 18 Conservative MPs who abstained were Lee Anderson, who resigned as deputy party chair over the bill, former prime minister Theresa May, and veteran MP Sir John Hayes.
The bill’s objective is to reaffirm the government’s plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda, particularly those arriving in the UK via small boat crossings in the English Channel. It aims to empower ministers to override certain sections of the Human Rights Act, although it stops short of allowing them to dismiss the European Convention on Human Rights entirely.
Sunak’s government believes that the bill will help address the issue of illegal migration and deter perilous channel crossings. Downing Street heralded the bill’s passing as a significant step towards stopping boat crossings, which it claims have already reduced by more than a third under the Conservative government.
The bill’s passage in the Commons is not the end of its legislative journey. It will now proceed to the House of Lords, where it is expected to undergo amendments. This will likely lead to a parliamentary “ping pong” where the bill will oscillate between the Commons and the Lords during the amendment process.
The debate surrounding this legislation has been intense, reflecting the complex and divisive nature of immigration and asylum policies. While the government positions the bill as a crucial step in tackling illegal migration, critics raise concerns about the implications for human rights and international law.
