UK Conservatives Plan ECHR Exit if Winning Next Election

The Conservative Party, led by Kemi Badenoch, has announced plans to withdraw the UK from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) if it wins the next election, citing the need to better control immigration, protect veterans, and prioritize citizens. Critics argue this move is more about consolidating governmental power than addressing immigration challenges, suggesting that existing laws could be reformed without abandoning the treaty. Experts warn that leaving the ECHR could jeopardize the Good Friday Agreement, damage the UK’s relationship with the EU, and politically isolate the country internationally. The party’s shadow attorney general, Baron Wolfson, conducted a review concluding that the ECHR limits government policy in areas like immigration and social services, but he cautioned that exiting would not solve all issues. The Labour Party and moderate Conservatives oppose the withdrawal, advocating for reform within the ECHR framework rather than a complete exit. The debate reflects deep divisions within UK politics about the balance between sovereignty, human rights protections, and immigration control.