Stroud MP supports Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda policy

Stroud MP Siobhan Baillie has backed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, voting on legislation designed to deport asylum-seekers to Rwanda.

Parliament passed Sunak’s Rwanda Safety Bill by 313 to 269.The legislation comfortably passed its first Commons hurdle with a majority of 44, but there will be further votes in the new year.

No Tory MPs voted against but some critics on the right of the party rebelled by abstaining.

The emergency legislation was drawn up to revive the government’s plan to send some asylum seekers to Rwanda.

The government say the scheme is designed to deter migrants from crossing the Channel in small boats.