The Illegal Migration Bill has passed its final Commons stage before it goes up to the Lords – but not without a number of blows being dealt by Conservative MPs. The legislation, which ministers claim will help ‘stop the boats’ crossing the Channel, passed its third reading in the Commons 289 votes to 230. But ministers had a miserable time trying to defend it: not from attacks from the Labour benches, but from their own side.
One climbdown on child detention means ministers will work with backbenchers on a ‘new timescale’ for the number of days unaccompanied children could be detained without court approval. This meant Tim Loughton did not push his specific amendment on this to a vote, though the timescale isn’t yet specified in the legislation. This was just one of the rebel changes proposed by Tory MPs: the really painful criticism came from some of the most senior figures in the Tory party.
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