Andy Burnham, the Labour MP for Makerfield and a prominent prime minister-in-waiting, voted in favor of the government's controversial immigration and asylum bill at its second reading in the House of Commons on Monday evening. The bill, which seeks to reduce small-boat crossings across the English Channel while expanding 'safe and legal routes' into the UK, passed with 264 votes in favor and 90 against, despite a rebellion by 14 Labour MPs.
Key provisions of the bill
The legislation aims to tighten the application of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects the right to private and family life, in an effort to reduce the number of successful asylum appeals. It also proposes replacing immigration judges with a new system of independent adjudicators to hear appeals, a move that ministers argue will speed up decision-making and reduce backlogs. Additionally, the bill includes plans to remove a legal protection that prevents the deportation of some long-term Commonwealth citizens convicted of serious crimes, such as the leader of the Rochdale grooming gang.
Home secretary defends the changes
Opening the debate, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the changes were necessary to restore public confidence in the asylum system while preserving Britain's commitment to those fleeing war and persecution. 'This country has always provided sanctuary to those fleeing war and persecution and I'm proud of that fact. But we must accept that public consent for our asylum system is fraying,' she said. Mahmood highlighted that Labour had increased arrests of people smugglers by 55% since taking office, while asylum decisions were at a 24-year high and removals at their highest level in almost a decade. The government also reported that the number of people housed in asylum hotels had fallen by almost 30%.
Labour dissent and criticism
The proposals drew criticism from Labour backbenchers, who argued the measures risked creating a more restrictive and expensive asylum system. Nadia Whittome, the Labour MP for Nottingham East, voted against the bill, stating there was 'little evidence' it would solve the problems it claimed to address. Stella Creasy questioned plans to reassess refugees' status every 30 months under a new 'core protection' route, describing it as a 'Diet Coke version of refugee status'. Tony Vaughan, the Labour MP for Folkestone and Hythe, warned that poor Home Office decision-making, rather than the tribunal system, was driving the volume of appeals.
Conservative opposition
The Conservatives also opposed the bill, arguing it did not go far enough. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said leaving the European Convention on Human Rights remained necessary to curb irregular migration, but his amendment to the legislation was defeated.
