Rishi Sunak sees off Conservative rebels as MPs back Rwanda bill

Rishi Sunak has successfully steered his crucial Rwanda bill through the House of Commons, overcoming a threat of a Tory rebellion.

The bill, designed to prevent legal challenges against ministerial proposals to relocate asylum seekers to Rwanda, secured approval with 320 votes in favour and 276 votes against. Despite initial concerns and threats of rebellion from numerous Tories who deemed the bill flawed, only 11 ultimately voted against it.

The next stage for the bill is the House of Lords, where it is expected to encounter significant opposition. Rishi Sunak contends that deporting certain asylum seekers to Rwanda would serve as a deterrent for migrants attempting to reach the UK via small boats across the Channel. However, Labour criticises the plan as an expensive “gimmick.”

Over the past two days, Conservative MPs on the right of the party sought amendments to the bill, arguing that, without modifications, the government’s Rwanda initiative could face legal challenges in the courts.