Conservatives Plan UK Exit From ECHR If Winning Election

Kemi Badenoch, leader of the UK Conservative Party, has announced a plan to take the UK out of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) if her party wins the next election. This move, aimed at addressing immigration control, deportation of foreign criminals, and prioritizing British citizens for social services, follows a detailed legal review by Lord Wolfson, who concluded that withdrawal is the only feasible way to overcome ECHR-related constraints on government policy. Badenoch emphasized that the plan is backed by serious legal advice and intends to reinforce British sovereignty, protect borders, and support veterans, contrasting her stance with previous Conservative reluctance and the rival Reform UK party's similar pledge. Critics warn that leaving the ECHR could damage the UK's international reputation and violate agreements like the Good Friday Agreement, though Lord Wolfson's advice suggests these complexities are manageable. Labour has criticized the proposal as a desperate political tactic lacking practical merit. The Conservative Party plans to formalize this policy at its conference, marking a significant shift toward right-wing policies in response to electoral challenges.