Andy Burnham is expected to become prime minister on Monday
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Andy Burnham has backed controversial reforms to the asylum system ahead of his coronation as prime minister next week.
The Makerfield MP, who is expected to take on the premiership next week, voted in favour of Shabana Mahmood’s plans, which aim to cut the number of small boat crossings and instead direct people to alternative “safe and legal routes”.
They also include new tighter rules on how Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights will be applied, which the Home Office hopes will cut the number of asylum appeals being granted.
The Immigration and Asylum Bill passed its second reading by 264 votes to 90, giving a majority of 174, but saw 14 Labour MPs rebel as a number of backbenchers criticised the legislation.
Mr Burnham will become prime minister on Monday when Sir Keir Starmer is expected to meet the King to formally resign, and recommend the Makerfield MP as his successor.
His ascension was all but confirmed on Monday when he received an extra 27 nominations from Labour MPs, taking his total to 349.
Sir Tony Blair has urged Andy Burnham to keep up a strong relationship with the US regardless of who the president is.
Speaking at the Tony Blair Institute (TBI)’s summer drinks reception at the National Theatre in London on Monday night, the former prime minister said Mr Burnham needed to maintain close ties because of the threat of an invasion to Europe from Russia.
He also warned warned the former Greater Manchester mayor about continuing with energy secretary Ed Miliband’s net zero policies, and told him that despite riding a wave of popularity that has propelled him to No 10, “you are not going to be loved”.
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.
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