Kemi Badenoch says she is “increasingly of the view” that the UK should withdraw from an international human rights treaty, as she announces plans for an investigation into leaving it. During a speech the Conservative party leader claimed that the European Convention on Human Rights has become a “sword” to “attack democratic decisions” and is a barrier to controlling the UK's borders.
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00:00The ECHR is now being used in ways never intended by its original authors.
00:06It should be a shield to protect.
00:08Instead, it's become a sword.
00:10A sword used to attack democratic decisions and common sense.
00:16This use of litigation as a political weapon is what I am calling lawfare.
00:23It isn't just damaging our security, it's also damaging our prosperity.
00:28Today, I'm not talking just about the ECHR.
00:32I'm asking and answering a question.
00:36What are some of the things that the next government will need to do?
00:40Things the British people expect it to be able to do.
00:43And the very things that governments are struggling to do.
00:47But time and time again, when we try and find solutions, we come up with the same obstacles, like the ECHR.
00:54And I know many people believe that we should keep pursuing reform.
00:59I used to think so, too.
01:02I fear this is now a lost cause.
01:05Reform is not going to work.
01:08And I mean this on many levels.
01:09We tried that before.
01:13Fifteen years ago, the Brighton process achieved some success.
01:17But the Strasbourg court has shown no real interest in fundamental change.
01:22Last month, nine European countries, led by Georgia Maloney, called for a serious conversation about how the ECHR handles migration.
01:30Not radical demands, just a simple request to talk.
01:34What was the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe's reply?
01:39He said institutions that protect fundamental rights cannot bend to political cycles.
01:44In other words, they're not listening.
01:46What was the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe's reply?