Skip to main content
'Apartheid' Bill gets the thumbs up
The government's draconian Immigration Bill has sailed through the Commons

The government's draconian Immigration Bill sailed through the Commons with a huge majority on Tuesday night despite a stark warning that it will bring apartheid-style pass laws to Britain.

Just seven Labour MPs voted against the Bill, along with three Lib Dems, three Plaid Cymru MPs, three SNP, Respect MP George Galloway, Green MP Caroline Lucas and two Irish SDLP MPs.

The Bill obtained a second reading by 303 votes to 18 after the vast majority of Labour MPs abstained in line with shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper's wish to "amend and reform" it at committee stage.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood
Migration / 4 September 2026
4 September 2026

Labour cannot win another election by accommodating racism, instead it should focus on finding solutions to social concerns that too often seek scapegoats, writes DIANE ABBOTT

New hope or not so much? Andy Burnham
Eyes Left / 4 August 2026
4 August 2026

Preferable to Starmer he may be, but there is scant sign of a sharp political break in Burnham’s policies so far — while left challenges aren’t making much of a running either, finds ANDREW MURRAY. How can socialism be put back on the map?

Crowborough Training Camp in East Sussex, one of two barracks which will be used to house asylum seekers temporarily. Picture date: Tuesday October 28, 2025
Immigration / 11 July 2026
11 July 2026

The government’s latest asylum proposals abandon labour movement values and fuel division by aping Reform UK, writes DIANE ABBOTT MP

First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney speaking during a press conference at Grassmarket Apex Hotel, Edinburgh, following the 2026 Holyrood elections, May 9, 2026
Features / 11 May 2026
11 May 2026

The new Scottish Parliament looks set to continue a cycle of managerial tinkering while public services face the axe, writes STEPHEN LOW