MPs within the UK government have voted 320 to 276 in favour of Rishi Sunak’s major plan to ensure the safety of Rwanda. Despite concerns of a revolt from some Conservative MPs, enough of them voted in favour of the Safety of Rwanda Bill, which will help pave the way for potential asylum flights headed towards the country. This victory for the government could have implications for the authority of the prime minister.
In light of this news, the BBC’s Peter Saull has provided context about what this vote means for the government’s handling of asylum seekers. This bill has generated much controversy, as taking people to Rwanda is not a conventional method of asylum. A flight to Rwanda has yet to be announced, but the country has been proposed in light of the difficulty in navigating French airports, and the UK’s need to counter migrant influx via the channel.
The decision to move forward with this plan has drawn criticism from many of those concerned with human rights, especially as the country in question has a dark past of ethnic cleansing, which could possibly put the lives of those subject to this proposal at risk.
The aftermath of this vote may be crucial in understanding how asylum policies will be tackled in the future, and what kinds of measures MPs may take to counter this initiative. Follow-up reports will likely reveal how the British public are responding and the potential consequences of this highly debated proposal should it be set into motion.
Video by Adam Smith
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