The Tory rebellions brewing on small boats

When No. 10 first devised the Illegal Migration Bill, the hope was that Rishi Sunak’s crackdown on asylum claims would have a unifying effect on the Tory party. The Bill – which aims to make it so those who arrive in the UK illegally cannot claim asylum – sailed through its second reading. But as it returns to the Commons this week, Sunak is facing demands from both sides of his party to amend the legislation.

The most immediate problem numbers wise comes from the moderate wing of the party. Tim Loughton is leading a group of would-be Tory rebels calling for a new safe and legal route to be introduced as part of the Bill. At present, ministers have only promised to establish a safe and legal route for asylum seekers once they decide there is space, with the focus on stopping the boats first. Given Labour are expected to back this amendment, Conservative MPs expect the government to accept their suggestion – rather than put it to a vote that No.