Sunak’s Rwanda Deportation Bill Passes Second Reading, Faces Potential Hurdles

London, Dec 13: In a key victory for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the UK House of Commons granted a second reading to the government’s bill to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda. The vote passed with a narrow margin of 313 to 269, despite opposition from a significant group of Conservative MPs.

Sunak hailed the vote as a victory for the British people, stating, “The British people should decide who gets to come to this country.”

However, the bill’s fate remains uncertain as it faces potential hurdles in the next stage of parliamentary scrutiny. Several Conservative MPs have indicated their intention to oppose the bill in its third reading unless amendments are made to tighten its provisions.

The debate on the bill was overshadowed by the tragic news of an asylum seeker’s death aboard a processing barge off the southern English coast. The incident raised concerns about the government’s handling of asylum seeker accommodation.

While Home Secretary James Cleverly defended the bill as “within the framework of international law,” his predecessor, Robert Jenrick, expressed reservations, stating that the current wording would not effectively prevent appeals against deportation orders.

The opposition Labour Party strongly criticized the bill, highlighting the wasted resources and lack of progress. Yvette Cooper, the shadow Home Secretary, pointed out that the government had spent millions on the Rwanda plan without sending a single person there.

With the Supreme Court previously striking down a similar law due to concerns over Rwanda’s safety record, the future of the current bill remains uncertain. Additionally, Freedom House’s assessment of Rwanda as “not free” further complicates the government’s position.

The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the government can secure the necessary support for its controversial Rwanda deportation plan.