In recent parliamentary sessions, UK Members of Parliament (MPs) addressed two major legislative matters concerning migration control and public health.

The first issue involved a vote on amendments related to the government’s migration policy, specifically its plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. MPs rejected amendments introduced by the House of Lords, which were deemed potentially obstructive to flights to Kigali for processing asylum claims. A decisive vote in the Commons, led by Illegal Migration Minister Michael Tomlinson, was cast 315-250, in favour of pursuing the original policy. This parliamentary decision reinforces the government’s objective under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to manage illegal migration effectively.

The second key legislative event was a vote on a public health proposal to institute a smoking ban that would apply to future generations. Specifically, the legislation aims to prohibit the sale of tobacco products to individuals born in 2009 or later, effectively phasing smoking out over time. Despite facing opposition, including from within the Conservative party, the bill passed in the Commons with significant support, concluding with a vote of 383 in favour against 67 opposed. Former Prime Minister Liz Truss and several Conservative MPs expressed concerns over freedom and enforcement challenges, yet the legislation was largely supported by the Labour party and is set to undergo further scrutiny in Parliament.

Both legislative events indicate the current administration’s focus on long-term social policies, despite facing internal dissent on issues such as the proposed smoking ban. These moves align with broader goals of addressing public health and managing migration, reflective of the government’s legislative priorities under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s leadership.