Yesterday Rishi Sunak survived the biggest test of his leadership as his controversial Rwanda bill passed the Commons. MPs approved the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill at second reading with a majority of 44, with 313 MPs voting for it, and 269 MPs voting against. There were several abstentions.
Conservative MPs who recorded no vote included former home secretary Suella Braverman, former immigration minister Robert Jenrick, former cabinet minister Sir Simon Clarke, ERG chairman Mark Francois and Miriam Cates and Danny Kruger from the New Conservatives group.
This is only a temporary victory for the Prime Minister won this initial battle as it will have to return to the Commons in January and also has to pass the House of Lords.
Mr Sunak now faces an uphill battle to get his legislation through its next Commons stage.
MPs traditionally allow bills to pass at second reading to allow them to be amended or improved, before casting their final judgement at the third reading of the bill.
Following the result, the Prime Minister tweeted: “The British people should decide who gets to come to this country – not criminal gangs or foreign courts. That’s what this Bill delivers.
“We will now work to make it law so that we can get flights going to Rwanda and stop the boats.”
Here’s how both MPs representing Gedling borough voted yesterday.
Gedling
Tom Randall – Conservative
Voted: For
Sherwood
Mark Spencer – Conservative
Voted: For
Neighbouring constituency Nottingham East, which covers parts of Mapperley, is represented by Labour MP Nadia Whittome. She voted against.
Nottingham East
Nadia Whittome – Labour
Voted: Against
