Burnham backs controversial asylum bill amid Labour dissent

Created at 13 Jul · 10:16 PM2 sources↑ Market-relevant2 events

IN SHORT

Andy Burnham, a Labour MP, supported the government's controversial asylum bill at its second reading in the House of Commons. The legislation passed despite a rebellion by 14 Labour MPs and opposition from Conservatives.

Key Numbers

14Labour MPs who rebelled against the bill

264Votes in favor of the bill

90Votes against the bill

55%Increase in arrests of people smugglers by Labour

24-year highAsylum decisions made

almost 30%Fall in people housed in asylum hotels

Who's Involved

Andy Burnham

Labour MP for Makerfield, backed controversial asylum bill

Shabana Mahmood

Home secretary, announced further amendments to the bill

Nadia Whittome

Labour MP for Nottingham East, voted against the bill

Stella Creasy

Labour MP who questioned reassessment plans for refugees

Tony Vaughan

Labour MP for Folkestone and Hythe, warned about Home Office decision-making

Chris Philp

Shadow home secretary, proposed amendment to leave European convention on human rights

Keir Starmer

Leader of the Labour Party

Burnham backs controversial asylum bill amid Labour dissent

↳ Why This Matters

Andy Burnham's support for a controversial government bill, despite internal party dissent, highlights the complex political landscape surrounding immigration policy in the UK and could signal future leadership dynamics within the Labour Party.

Key facts

Andy Burnham, Labour MP for Makerfield, voted for the government's immigration and asylum bill.
The bill passed its second reading in the House of Commons with 264 votes in favor and 90 against.
The legislation aims to reduce small boat crossings and reform the asylum system.
Fourteen Labour MPs rebelled and voted against the bill.
The home secretary announced amendments to remove deportation protections for some Commonwealth citizens convicted of serious crimes.

Andy Burnham, the Labour MP for Makerfield, has supported the government's controversial immigration and asylum bill, voting for it at its second reading in the House of Commons. This decision comes amid significant dissent within the Labour party, with 14 MPs rebelling and voting against the legislation. The bill, which aims to tighten the UK's immigration system and reshape the asylum appeals process, passed by 264 votes to 90. Ministers state the legislation is intended to reduce Channel crossings and improve the asylum system's efficiency, including changes to Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights and the introduction of independent adjudicators for appeals. However, critics, including some Labour backbenchers, argue the measures could lead to a more restrictive and costly system. The Conservatives also opposed the bill, believing it did not go far enough to curb irregular migration.

Frequently asked questions

The bill aims to reduce the number of people crossing the English Channel in small boats and to reshape the UK's asylum system towards expanded 'safe and legal routes'.

Some Labour MPs argued that the measures risked creating a more restrictive and expensive asylum system and that there was little evidence the bill would solve the claimed problems.

The bill proposes to replace immigration judges with a new system of independent adjudicators to hear appeals, aiming to speed up decision-making and reduce backlogs.

An amendment was announced to remove a legal protection preventing the deportation of some long-term Commonwealth citizens convicted of serious crimes.

What Happens Next

01The bill will proceed to further stages of parliamentary debate and amendment.

02Further analysis of the impact of the bill's amendments on asylum seekers and the appeals process is expected.

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Cadence

How It Developed

Keir Starmer is poised to become UK Prime Minister after securing support from more Labour MPs.

Andy Burnham supported the government's controversial asylum changes.

The immigration and asylum bill passed its second reading in the House of Commons by 264 votes to 90.

The bill aims to reduce Channel crossings and reshape the asylum system.

Amendments were announced to remove legal protection for some Commonwealth citizens convicted of serious crimes.

Labour backbenchers criticized the bill for potentially creating a more restrictive system.

Nadia Whittome, Stella Creasy, and Tony Vaughan voiced concerns about the bill.

Conservatives opposed the bill, arguing it did not go far enough.

Sources

Andy Burnham backs controversial asylum bill amid Labour dissentThe Guardian

UK’s Burnham set to be PM after securing more Labour MPs’ supportSouth China Morning Post