How Britain’s future in the ECHR could become an election wedge issue

Human rights are not just for refugees, as Sean O’Grady explains

11 August 2023 (Dave Brown)

As many as eight members of Rishi Sunak’s government are reportedly prepared to press him into a manifesto commitment to leaving the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The determination of some will be greater if British courts block the deportation of refugees to Rwanda, which has already been long delayed, to the acute embarrassment of ministers.

Some have already hinted at as much. Robert Jenrick, the immigration minister, says that “we’ll do whatever is necessary ultimately to defend our borders and to bring order to our asylum system”. Others hint at much the same off the record, while the home secretary, Suella Braverman, has expressed a “personal” view that the UK should leave the convention.

What is the point of leaving the ECHR?