The Conservative Party has launched a campaign of attack adverts directed at Labour MPs, telling the public they voted “to keep illegal migrants in Britain”.

The party is targeting MPs who are in Sir Keir Starmer’s shadow cabinet or represent marginal seats, as it seeks to weaponise the issue of illegal migration and move on from the “partygate” scandal.

The adverts say that Labour MPs who voted against the Government’s Nationality and Borders Bill cannot be trusted, and that the legislation “takes back control of our borders, allows us to remove those here illegally, and tackles Channel crossings”.

Conservative strategists believe the Government’s measures to reduce illegal migration will improve the party’s chances at next month’s local elections, when they are widely expected to receive a drubbing in London and elsewhere.

Boris Johnson and Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, last month announced that some illegal migrants will soon be handed a one-way ticket to Rwanda, where their claims will be assessed.

Successful applicants will be allowed to stay in Rwanda, while others will be deported.