UK House of Commons OKs bill to send migrants to Rwanda, 320 back PM Rishi Sunak's plan
Rishi Sunak
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, in a pivotal Commons vote, emerged victorious over internal party dissidents, securing approval for his contentious Rwanda deportation bill. Sunak's Rwanda policy, which will allow the UK government to send asylum seekers who arrive without permission in Britain to Rwanda, cleared the last obstacle in the Commons. A total of 320 lawmakers voted in favour of the bill against 276.
Meanwhile, 11 Tory MPs dissented. Former home secretary Suella Braverman, who earlier called on Sunak to harden up his stance on the Rwandan bill, and ex-immigration minister Robert Jenrick, also voted against the bill.
The contentious legislation will now advance to the House of Lords where the bill may face potential amendments. The third reading was a major win for Sunak. If it had failed, the UK Prime Minister would have been in a tough spot with the general elections coming up and his perceived weakening leadership.
Even as Conservative rebels threatened to derail the legislation, most from the party opted not to challenge the bill.
Injunctions byEuropean Court of Human Rights troubling Sunak
Even as the Rwandan bill was given a green light in the House of Commons, there is a greater worry for Sunak in the form ofInjunctions by the European Court of Human Rights which can halt deportations to Rwanda.
The government earlier pledged to eliminate this guidance which directed civil servants to comply with these injunctions.
Rwanda's President Paul Kagame has declared willingness to refund UK taxpayers' money if no asylum seekers arrive in the African nation. A total of £240 million is already paid to Rwanda, with an additional £50 million pending.
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The prime minister's allies perceive this outcome as a decisive victory against the right wing.
Despite the win, discontent lingers within the Conservative party, with moderates expressing frustration over the damage caused during the rebellion.
(With inputs from agencies)