Rishi Sunak wins Rwanda policy Commons Vote
It means the Government can press on with its plans
Last updated 18th Jan 2024
The Prime Minister has won a vote on his controversial Rwanda policy.
Parliament approved the Rwanda bill - designed to send some asylum seekers to the African country - by a majority of 44.
It's after a group of so-called 'rebel' Tory MPs met and agreed to back the plans despite publicly not supporting them.
The bill only needed 30 tory MPs to join the opposition in voting against the bill for it to be defeated.
Earlier, two Conservative deputy chairmen and a ministerial aide resigned.
The Tory chaos has left the Prime Minister's authority in "tatters", Labour's shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said.
Speaking in the Commons during the third reading of the Bill, Ms Cooper said: "This chaos leaves the Prime Minister's authority in tatters, he's in office but not in power. No one agrees with him on his policy. And the real weaknesses is that he doesn't even agree with it himself.
"A Prime Minister who is so weak he has lost control of the asylum system, lost control of our borders and lost any control of the Tory party."
James Cleverly said he has "respect" for Tory MPs who sought to strengthen the Rwanda Bill.
Speaking during the Bill's third reading, the Home Secretary told the Commons: "We are united in the agreement that stopping the boats... and getting (the) Rwanda partnership up and running is of the utmost importance.
"And having a debate about how to get the policy right is of course what this House is for, that is our collective job, and I respect my good friends and colleagues on my side for putting forward amendments in good faith in order to do what they believe will strengthen the Bill."
immigration Minister Michael Tomlinson told MPs: "The effect is that the duty under section 6.1 of the Human Rights Act is disapplied from any public authority, including any court or tribunal that is taking a decision that is based on the duty under Clause 2 of the Bill to treat the Republic of Rwanda as safe."
Lee Anderson, Brendan Clarke-Smith, and Jane Stevenson stepped down, with 60 Tory MPs supporting rebel amendments. Number 10 anticipated the bill's passage but was expecting to make some concessions.
The legislation aims to deter Channel crossings by sending some asylum seekers to Rwanda.
The government is contemplating changes to the Civil Service Code to address the rebellion.
The Rwanda policy's debates reveal Conservative divisions and pose possible future challenges for the Prime Minister.