Rishi Sunak may be on the brink of getting the Rwanda bill onto the statute books this week, despite facing challenges from his own party and peers. The government has been successful in winning crucial votes in the Commons with substantial majorities, signaling strong support for the bill.
In a series of votes on government motions to reject Lords amendments to the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill, majorities ranged from 59 to 74. The bill will now return to the House of Lords for further debate and potential amendments.
While the outcome of future votes in the Lords remains uncertain, there is speculation that crossbenchers may align with the government, potentially shifting the balance of power. The bill’s passage through Parliament is expected to be contentious, with opposition likely to persist.
Despite the government’s success in securing votes, key details of the Rwanda policy remain unclear. Cabinet minister Victoria Atkins revealed that an airline has yet to be secured for deportation flights to Africa, highlighting ongoing challenges in implementing the policy.
As the bill moves closer to becoming law, the debate over Rwanda policy is far from over. Critics are unlikely to relent in their efforts to oppose deportation flights and challenge the government’s approach. The coming days are crucial as the government navigates the final stages of the legislative process and works to address remaining uncertainties surrounding the Rwanda bill.