The Labour Party's victory in the UK general election on 4 July 2024 signals the possible end of the controversial Rwanda deportation plan for asylum seekers. And here are the key implications:
Labour has pledged to scrap the Rwanda scheme entirely if they come to power. This means the plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing will likely be abandoned.
No asylum seeker deportation flights to Rwanda have taken place yet, and none are expected to occur before the new Labour government takes office.
The Rwanda plan faced significant legal challenges, with the UK Supreme Court previously ruling it unlawful. Labour's victory removes the political will to continue pursuing this policy.
Labour has proposed alternative migration policies, including better border controls and increased cooperation with France to tackle people smuggling networks.
However, some migrant rights advocates caution that Labour may still pursue restrictive migration policies or consider agreements with other countries for asylum processing.
Both Labour and Conservatives have committed to reducing overall net migration, but through different approaches.
The change in government is welcomed by asylum seekers like Faheem, who fled Afghanistan, and who feared being sent to Rwanda under the Conservative plan.
Of course, we’ll have to wait until the government makes an official statement on the issue.
But from what we know, based on the various standing positions, Labour's victory likely marks the end of the Rwanda deportation scheme.
But the Labour Party is in for its own possible immigration controversies, as it still faces pressure to address migration issues through alternative policies.