In a significant victory for Chancellor Rishi Sunak, his key bill aimed at curbing legal challenges against the deportation of asylum seekers to Rwanda has successfully cleared the House of Commons. Despite initial concerns of a potential rebellion within the Conservative Party, the bill was approved by a majority of 44 votes, with 320 in favor and 276 against.

Previously, a significant number of Tory MPs had expressed reservations about the bill, citing flaws and potential legal obstacles. However, when it came to the vote, only 11 MPs voted against it, with the majority choosing to support the legislation to avoid political disruptions. Notably, former Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick attempted to introduce an amendment that would allow the UK government to bypass certain aspects of human rights law in relation to deportation to Rwanda, but the amendment did not receive approval.

The bill will now proceed to the House of Lords, where it is expected to encounter strong opposition. Critics of the legislation argue that deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda is an expensive "gimmick" rather than a genuine solution to the complex issue of migration. The Labour Party has been particularly vocal in its opposition, labeling the plan as ineffective and highlighting the lack of success thus far in sending any asylum seekers to Rwanda.

The internal divisions within the Conservative Party have been exposed during the debate on the bill. Two deputy chairmen, Lee Anderson and Brendan Clarke-Smith, resigned from their roles in order to support rebel amendments. However, despite expressing concerns, MP Brendan Clarke-Smith ultimately backed the bill during the final stage, while Lee Anderson did not vote.

The passage of the bill through the House of Commons marks a significant achievement for Chancellor Rishi Sunak. The government argues that deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda will deter others from attempting to enter the UK through unauthorized means, such as crossing the English Channel in small boats. Home Secretary James Cleverly defended the bill, stating that it sends a clear message that illegal entry into the UK will not be tolerated.

While the vote in the House of Commons has been a victory for the government, the bill's journey is far from over. The House of Lords is expected to closely scrutinize the legislation, and potential amendments may be proposed that either strengthen or weaken the bill. This ongoing process highlights the challenges that lie ahead for the government in fully implementing their plans.

In parallel with the parliamentary developments, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, speaking from the Davos conference in Switzerland, stated that if no asylum seekers were sent to his country, he would be willing to return the funds the UK has paid thus far. The UK has already disbursed £240 million to Rwanda, with an additional £50 million anticipated. A government spokesperson in Rwanda later clarified that they have no obligation to return the money but would consider a refund if requested by the UK.

Furthermore, Downing Street faced denial claims that it was seeking to modify the Civil Service code to include a presumption that emergency injunctions from the European Court of Human Rights should be ignored. This response followed comments from Home Office Minister Michael Tomlinson at the beginning of the day, where he stated that the government was "looking at" this possibility. However, later in the day, 10 Downing Street announced that they were not attempting to rewrite the code.

As the Rwanda bill progresses, both domestically and internationally, it remains to be seen how it will shape the wider immigration landscape and whether it will achieve the desired impact on illegal migration into the UK.