Tory Rebels Blink, Warn of Trouble in the New Year

Rishi Sunak's flagship immigration legislation narrowly survived a Commons showdown after dozens of right-wing Tory MPs pulled their support at the last minute. The rebels, however, abstained from voting against the government, allowing the Prime Minister to secure a slim victory. Despite the win, rebel leader Mark Francois warned that they would seek to toughen the Bill after Christmas, posing a challenge for Mr. Sunak. Centrist Tory backbenchers have also made it clear that they will not accept any further changes to the legislation.

Bill Receives Majority Vote in the Commons

A total of 313 MPs voted in favor of the Bill, while 269 opposition MPs voted against it, resulting in a majority of 44. Notably, 38 Tory MPs abstained from voting, including former Cabinet Ministers Suella Braverman, Robert Jenrick, and Sir Simon Clarke. No Tory MP voted against the legislation. The Bill aims to give the British people control over immigration and prevent criminal gangs and foreign courts from deciding who enters the country.

Rebels Threaten to Toughen the Bill in the New Year

Rebel leader Mark Francois issued a warning to Downing Street, stating that they would seek to make the Bill more stringent after Christmas. This poses a challenge for Mr. Sunak, as centrist Tory backbenchers have already expressed their reluctance to support any further changes to the legislation. The rebels collectively decided to abstain from voting on the Bill due to what they perceive as its many omissions.

Consequences for Rebels

Tory rebels faced warnings of potential consequences if they voted against the Bill. Chief Whip Simon Hart made a veiled threat to strip wavering MPs of the whip. This led to a confrontation between right-wing MP Sir Bill Cash and Mr. Hart. Rebel sources criticized the Chief Whip for his poor engagement with them ahead of the crucial vote.

Day of Drama and Lobbying

Rishi Sunak personally led a day of intense lobbying, starting with a breakfast meeting of the New Conservatives caucus. The Prime Minister urged hardliners to support the Bill, promising the possibility of making amendments later. He made a last-minute appeal to stop the boats and gain support for the legislation. Home Secretary James Cleverly also made the case for the government in a fiery Commons debate.

Tight Spot for Mr. Sunak

Mr. Sunak finds himself in a tight spot as he must navigate the demands of rebel MPs who want to toughen the Bill and centrist Tory backbenchers who oppose further changes. Losing the vote would have triggered a crisis for the Prime Minister and likely led to renewed calls for an election from the Labour party. The last time the government lost a "second reading" vote was in 1986.