Andy Burnham, Labour’s deputy leadership in effect as Labour’s “prime minister-in-waiting,” votes in support of government asylum reforms at the bill’s second reading in the House of Commons. Multiple reports say Burnham backs the Immigration and Asylum Bill despite a Labour rebellion in which 14 Labour MPs oppose the measures.
The legislation focuses on changes designed to tighten the immigration system and reshape the appeals process for asylum decisions. The Manchester Evening News reports the reforms are intended to reduce the number of asylum appeals that are granted. The Guardian adds that Labour dissent centres on the plans to alter how appeals are handled, with the rebellion occurring during the Commons debate.
Taken together, the coverage portrays a split within Labour: Burnham supports the bill, while a group of his colleagues votes against it at second reading. The reports do not indicate that the government’s approach is altered as a result of the internal disagreement, but they show the legislation is politically contentious within the party.
