January 17th 2024.
In a heated debate, the Parliament has approved the controversial Rwanda Bill proposed by the government. The bill, championed by Rishi Sunak, faced fierce opposition from Conservative rebels who claimed that it goes against international law. Despite these claims, the bill was passed with a majority of 44 votes in the House of Commons.
Initially, 64 Tory MPs had threatened to vote against the bill during the second reading, causing tension and uncertainty. However, as the voting took place on Wednesday night, only 11 rebels followed through with their threat, with the rest supporting the legislation. These rebels had proposed an amendment that would allow the government to ignore emergency injunctions imposed by European judges to prevent deportation flights to East Africa. However, they eventually backed down and voted in favor of the bill without any further amendments.
Among the rebels were prominent figures such as Suella Braverman, Robert Jenrick, Danny Kruger, and Miriam Cates. These individuals are part of the New Conservatives faction, which advocates for stricter immigration measures. Another rebel, Lee Anderson, who had resigned as deputy party chairman to support the amendments, also ended up backing the bill.
Despite its success in the House of Commons, the bill is expected to face serious opposition in the House of Lords. The Home Secretary, James Cleverly, tried to reassure MPs that the bill is in line with international law and would prevent legal challenges to deportation orders. He emphasized that the bill was carefully drafted to put an end to the constant legal challenges and provide a clear message that illegal entry into the UK will not be tolerated.
However, there have been concerns raised by various organizations and individuals regarding the bill. The United Nations Refugee Agency stated that the bill is not compatible with international refugee law, and the UK's Supreme Court also ruled that it goes against the European Convention of Human Rights, which prohibits torture and inhuman treatment. The court also expressed concerns about Rwanda's human rights record and treatment of refugees.
Following the vote, Scotland's First Minister, Humza Yousaf, condemned the bill, calling it "the most repugnant piece of legislation in recent history." He stated that it goes against Scotland's values and that the country has a proud history of welcoming those fleeing war and persecution. He was joined by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who criticized the bill for being cruel, inhumane, and unworkable. Khan also called for a general election to address the issue.
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also expressed his disapproval of the bill, calling it "appalling" and failing to consider the suffering of those forced to make dangerous crossings in search of a better life. Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper criticized the prime minister for losing control and causing chaos within the Conservative party. She stated that the only thing they seem to agree on is that the current scheme is not working and that the prime minister's authority is in tatters.
Despite the opposition, the bill was approved in the House of Commons with 320 votes in favor and 276 against. The government's official spokesperson released a statement following the vote, stating that the bill marks a significant step in their plan to stop illegal migration. They emphasized that the legislation is the toughest ever introduced and will send a clear message that illegal entry into the UK will not be tolerated.
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