Rwanda Bill Passes Second Reading Despite Tory Rebellion

The bill was passed by 313 votes to 269 with dozens of right-wing Conservative MPs abstaining from the vote. The MPs say they will seek to strengthen the bill.

Home Secretary James Cleverly arrives in Downing Street, London, for a Cabinet meeting on Dec. 12, 2023. Yui Mok/PA Wire

The government has cleared the first hurdle in Parliament to push through an emergency bill in a bid to revive its plan to deport illegal immigrants to Rwanda.

The Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill passed the second reading on Tuesday evening by 313 votes to 269 despite a rebellion from the right wing of the Conservative Party.