Rishi Sunak has seen off opposition to his Safety of Rwanda Bill in its second reading by 313 votes to 269.
The Prime Minister appeared to be facing a crunch Commons vote when the so-called “five families” on the Tory right ruled out voting for his amended Rwanda plan.
Sunak, on the other hand, defeated the insurgents with a larger-than-expected majority of 44 votes.
On the second reading, 37 Conservative MPs abstained, including ex-Home Secretary Suella Braverman and former Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick.
Despite floating through the Commons at this early stage, the Prime Minister can only breathe a sigh of relief as rebels plot new difficulties as the Bill moves through the Houses of Parliament.
Conservative right-wing MPs have urged that modifications to the Act be considered.
Mark Francois, chairman of the European Research Group, cautioned that the so-called Cash Amendment could seek to strengthen the Bill.
Speaking before the division in the House of Commons, the Rayleigh & Wickford MP also said: “The Prime Minister has been telling colleagues today he is prepared to entertain tightening the bill, with that aim, at the committee stage, we will aim to table an amendment which would we hope, if accepted, would materially improve the bill and remove some of its weaknesses.
“We very much hope those amendments will be accepted – if they are not and the bill remains unamended, in that way again, collectively, we reserve the right to vote against it at third reading, that is collectively what we have decided.”
Responding on social media, the Prime Minister said: “The British people should decide who gets to come to this country – not criminal gangs or foreign courts. That’s what this bill delivers.
“We will now work to make it law so that we can get flights going to Rwanda and stop the boats.”