In a closely fought parliamentary vote, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak emerged victorious as his plans to send migrants to Rwanda gained approval, despite facing opposition from within his own Conservative party. The bill, known as the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill, aims to address record levels of regular and irregular migration and is expected to be a key issue in the upcoming election.

The vote, held in the House of Commons on Tuesday, saw Sunak secure the first substantive hearing of the bill with 313 votes in favor and 269 against. The prime minister, who has been in power for just over a year, had to navigate a Tory rebellion but managed to overcome the opposition.

However, Sunak may still face further challenges in the new year as he seeks to satisfy right-wing factions within his party, who believe the bill should be tougher. Critics argue that the proposed legislation falls short of their expectations, and there are concerns about its compatibility with human rights laws.

Yasmine Ahmed, the UK director of Human Rights Watch, described the vote as "a defeat for human decency and a hammer blow for the rule of law." Mark Francois, an outspoken member of parliament known for his staunch support of Brexit, indicated that there are several hurdles ahead for the bill, including gaining approval from the House of Lords.

Sunak, determined to tackle immigration issues head-on, referred to the bill as "the toughest ever anti-immigration law." He emphasized that he wants the British people to have control over who enters the country and not leave the decision to criminal gangs or foreign courts. Sunak announced plans to work towards making the bill into law, stating that it would enable flights to Rwanda and help deter migrant crossings.

The emergency bill was published just last week in response to a Supreme Court ruling that deemed deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda illegal under international law. Interior Minister James Cleverly acknowledged that the government's plans were novel and pushed boundaries but assured that they addressed the court's concerns. He argued that extreme action was necessary to disrupt the operations of people-smuggling gangs.

The controversy surrounding the bill stems from differing opinions within the Conservative party. Some hardline Tories support the bill as it stands, while more liberal members are concerned about potential violations of international law. There are also concerns about designating Rwanda as a safe country for deportation, despite reservations from human rights organizations.

The UK-Rwanda deportation plan was initially proposed by Sunak's predecessor, Boris Johnson, as a response to the increasing number of migrants crossing the English Channel from France in small boats. The bill's passage represents a significant victory for Sunak and his government, but questions remain about its effectiveness in addressing the complex issue of immigration.

Labour's interior affairs spokeswoman, Yvette Cooper, criticized the bill as a "gimmick" that would have minimal impact on migration numbers. She urged the government to focus on resolving the lengthy backlog of asylum cases, which poses ongoing financial burdens for UK taxpayers.

As the bill progresses, it is expected to face further scrutiny and potential amendments. The outcome of this legislation will likely have far-reaching consequences for the future of the UK's immigration policies and border control.