The UK’s membership of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) has become a serious obstacle to democratic accountability.
The ECHR was founded in the aftermath of the Second World War with Britain’s leadership, and its original aim - to protect basic liberties from tyranny - is one we all value. However, it is clear from recent judgments that the ECHR is now being used in ways its authors never intended. It has become a supranational instrument that can suspend or block domestic legislation, often undermining the decisions of our elected Parliament. This is part of a wider trend of lawfare, where litigation is used to obstruct democratic governance and common sense.
Our legal system is among the best in the world, and we must defend it from distortion. Cases involving foreign criminals avoiding deportation, delays to critical infrastructure, and legal harassment of veterans show how the current framework is failing. That’s why Lord Wolfson, after a thorough legal review, concluded that the UK cannot govern itself properly while remaining in the ECHR.
A future Conservative Government will therefore leave the ECHR and repeal the Human Rights Act in immigration‑related matters. We will continue to protect human rights through our common law tradition, which long predates the Convention and remains robust. Other common law democracies like Canada and Australia have never signed the ECHR, yet their rights and institutions remain strong.
Leaving the ECHR is a bold step, but it is necessary to restore democratic accountability and ensure Parliament can make laws that are carried through. We will approach this process with care and respect for our international partners.