After the Illegal Migration Bill cleared its final stages in the House of Commons, Rachel said:
“I voted for the Illegal Migration Bill to deliver on the promise I made to my constituents to strengthen our borders and to put an end to the small boats crossing the English Channel.
“It’s a shame Labour voted against the Bill. They talk the talk on tackling illegal migration, but when it comes to it they will never back up their words with action.
"I voted to stop the boats because it is unfair on those with a genuine case for asylum when our capacity to help is taken up by people coming here illegally from countries that are safe and it is unfair on the British people.
“That is why we will deliver a tough but fair approach, so that if someone enters the UK illegally, they will be detained immediately and removed to a safe country within weeks – with no ability to make spurious and late claims to frustrate removal.
“This Bill does not stop us from helping the world’s most in need. We’re a compassionate country and that will continue to be the case.
“There is a clear difference between helping refugees and economic migration, and that has clearly been lost in this debate.
“It is not wrong to believe that we should be able to control our borders. We have the sovereign right to decide who can or cannot enter our country. Our friends around the world do just that including Australia, New Zealand and Canada. I’m pretty sure they are not viewed as bigoted countries!
“We need an immigration system built around the needs of our economy, and not one decided by criminal gangs making vast amounts of money by sending people across the Channel on small boats.”