Andy Burnham votes in favour of controversial asylum reforms
Prime minister-to-be Andy Burnham has voted in favour of Shabana Mahmood’s controversial plans for asylum reform less than a week before he is expected to take on the premiership.
On Monday night the Immigration and Asylum Bill passed its second reading by 264 votes to 90, with a majority of 174.
The proposals aim to cut the number of small boat crossings and instead direct people to alternative “safe and legal routes”.
They include new tighter rules on how Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which covers an individual’s right to a private and family life, will be applied, which the Home Office hopes will cut the number of asylum appeals being granted.
But the plans have been criticised by a number of backbenchers, 14 of whom rebelled against the government.
Nicole Wootton-Cane14 July 2026 07:23
