Rwanda Bill: How did your MP vote on Rishi Sunak’s asylum legislation?

The United Kingdom’s approach to handling asylum seekers has taken a significant turn with the recent approval of a new policy.

The bill, led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, was approved, on Monday night, 22nd April 2024.

It calls for the deportation of asylum seekers to Rwanda in order to process their claims.

What does the bill entail?

The policy, often referred to as the Rwanda Bill, is part of the "stop the boats" pledge. The "stop the boats" pledge is one of five pledges made by Sunak.

The Rwanda Bill, proposes that certain asylum seekers be sent to Rwanda, where their claims will be processed.

Successful claimants can then reside in Rwanda or seek asylum in another country, but they will not be eligible to return to the UK.

How did the bill get approved?

The approval process for the bill was marked by numerous challenges and setbacks, since it was signed two years ago.

The Prime Minister has pinned his hopes on the Bill, which declares the east African nation a safe country and seeks to ensure the scheme – which had been ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court.

Despite these obstacles, the bill has now been passed into law.

Sunak has announced that the first flight, carrying asylum seekers to Rwanda is expected to depart within 10-12 weeks.

This would be more than two years since the first flight ever attempted under the deal was grounded amid last-minute legal challenges.

The Prime Minister did not confirm an exact date during his Downing Street press conference on Monday and it is still unclear whether flights will take place before the next general election.

Ministers and officials had previously repeatedly stressed their intention to get planes off the runway “in the spring” and “as soon as possible” .

Treasury minister Laura Trott, even saying there were “many definitions of spring”.

What are the reactions to the bill?

The policy has elicited a range of responses. Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights said the proposed Rwanda law was “fundamentally incompatible” with the UK’s human rights obligations and would flout international law.

They argue that those sent to Rwanda could face a “real risk” of being returned to their home countries, regardless of the validity of their asylum claims.

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How did Birmingham MPs vote on the bill?

• Tahir Ali (Labour, Hall Green) :No
• Liam Byrne (Labour, Hodge Hill): No
• Preet Kaur Gill (Labour, Edgbaston):No
• Paulette Hamilton(Labour, Erdington): No
• Khalid Mahmood (Labour, Perry Barr):No
• Shabana Mahmood(Labour, Ladywood):No Vote Recorded
• Steve McCabe(Labour, Selly Oak):No
• Jess Phillips (Labour, Yardley): No Vote Recorded
• Gary Sambrook(Conservative, Northfield): Yes
• Andrew Mitchell(Conservative, Sutton Coldfield): Yes

What’s next for the bill?

While the bill has been passed, its implementation may still face challenges. As, questions remain over what happens next to put the plan into action.

Campaigners opposing the plans, and individual migrants who are told they are to be sent to Rwanda, could seek to take the Government to court again in a bid to stop flights and could potentially delay the planned deportation flights.

The coming weeks and months will be critical in determining the practical impact of this policy.