When No. 10 first planned the illegal migration bill – to stop those who enter the UK illegally from claiming asylum – the hope was that it would act as a unifying force within the Tory party. In a sign that the strategy is bearing fruit, the legislation passed its second reading late on Monday, with a majority of 62, with 312 ayes to 250 noes. Not one Tory MP voted against the bill – with critics opting to abstain instead. The Labour amendment to decline to approve the second reading failed at 249 ayes to 312 noes.
Yet the debate before the vote wasn’t all plain-sailing for the government. Former prime minister Theresa May went on the offensive – arguing that ‘anybody who thinks that this bill deal with the issue of illegal migration once and for all is wrong’.
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