Burnham backs asylum bill as Labour MPs rebel

Andy Burnham, the Labour MP for Makerfield and prime minister-in-waiting, supported the government’s immigration and asylum bill at its second reading in the House of Commons on Monday evening, according to a single-source report from The Guardian. The legislation passed by 264 votes to 90, despite a rebellion by 14 Labour MPs. The bill aims to reduce Channel crossings in small boats and shift the asylum system toward expanded safe and legal routes, while tightening the application of article 8 of the European convention on human rights. It would also replace immigration judges with independent adjudicators to hear appeals. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced further amendments, including removing a legal protection preventing deportation of some long-term Commonwealth citizens convicted of serious crimes. Labour backbenchers criticized the measures, with Nadia Whittome voting against the bill and Stella Creasy questioning a plan to reassess refugees’ status every 30 months. The Conservatives opposed the bill, arguing it did not go far enough, and their amendment to leave the European convention on human rights was defeated.

What’s reported

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Sources: The Guardian