Katie Close
Consultant Parliamentary Officer Detention Action
Last night the House of Lords voted for the amendment to introduce a statutory 28 day time limit for immigration detention. Speeches were made by Baroness Hamwee, Baroness Bull and Baroness Meacher all of whom put the case powerfully for the introduction of a time limit with robust judicial oversight. The votes were 184 content, 156 not content to add this amendment.
This represents a significant victory and shows the government the strength of support for a time limit. It will now ping pong back to the Commons where we will once again put pressure on MPs to offer their support to this important amendment. Of course we know that it may well fail in the Commons, but we can continue to push for a more humane immigration system in the face of a very uncertain future.
Thanks to everyone who contacted peers and engaged with them on this matter. Now is the time to reconnect with MPs and ask them to support it once again in the Commons.
