Rishi Sunak Survives Knife-Edge Vote As UK Parliament Clears Rwanda Bill

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has successfully navigated a critical test of his leadership, winning a crucial parliamentary vote on his controversial plan to send migrants to Rwanda. Sunak, who has been in power since October 2022, faced opposition from right-wing rebels within his Conservative party who threatened to block the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill. The legislation is Sunak's response to a UK Supreme Court ruling last year, which deemed the deportation of asylum seekers to Kigali illegal under international law. The bill, if passed, would designate Rwanda as a safe third country and grant UK ministers the authority to bypass certain sections of international and British human rights legislation.

Despite the internal party dissent, the government secured a comfortable victory in the parliamentary vote with 320 votes in favour and 276 against. This outcome is crucial for Sunak as he seeks to maintain his authority within a faction-ridden party and gain support ahead of the upcoming general election later this year.

The proposed legislation has faced criticism, with opponents labelling it a "farce" and a "gimmick." While the bill has cleared the House of Commons, it must still be approved by the unelected House of Lords before becoming law. The government lacks a majority in the Lords, setting the stage for potential amendments and further battles.

The bill's passage could also be challenged through legal avenues, prolonging the ongoing saga. Chris Hopkins, political research director at polling firm Savanta, noted that public perception of the government's handling of immigration remains deeply rooted, and actual implementation may be necessary to alter this perception.

Sunak's plan, aimed at curbing migration and deterring asylum seekers from unauthorized routes, has exposed divisions within the Conservative party. 

The proposal has sparked debates reminiscent of the Brexit discussions that followed the 2016 EU referendum. The government has allocated £240 million to Kigali in connection with the plan, emphasizing its commitment to controlling migration and enhancing border security.

संकटमय वोट में, ऋषि सुनक बचते हैं; यूके संसद को 'रवांडा विधेयक' को मंजूरी, पारिति सुनिश्चित।