Conservatives would take UK out of ECHR, Badenoch confirms

"Badenoch said on Friday night that she had not come to this decision lightly, but it is clear that it is necessary to protect our borders, our veterans and our citizens. Critics of the ECHR claim it frustrates the government's efforts to deal with illegal migration and deport foreign criminals. Others argue that pulling out of the treaty would damage the UK's international reputation and breach the Good Friday agreement, which brought an end to decades of conflict in Northern Ireland."

"Badenoch's decision follows the conclusion of a months-long review by David Wolfson, the shadow attorney general, which found that the treaty places significant constraints on the government across a range of areas, including border control. Lord Wolfson, a commercial barrister, deemed other options, such as renegotiating or derogating from the treaty, either unrealistic or ineffective. He argued that leaving it was compatible with the Good Friday agreement and the Windsor framework negotiated by Rishi Sunak to ease post-Brexit trading arrangements."

"The Conservative party said: Unlike Reform UK, who have made slapdash announcements with no consideration of the implications and no plan to deliver behind them, the Conservatives have done the serious work to explore the legal and practical considerations necessary to leave the ECHR in an orderly manner."

Kemi Badenoch would pull the UK out of the European Convention on Human Rights under a Conservative government, framing the move as necessary to protect borders, veterans and citizens. The shift aims to counter support for Nigel Farage's Reform UK, which has long advocated leaving the ECHR. Critics say the treaty impedes deportations and migration control, while opponents warn exiting could harm the UK's international reputation and risk the Good Friday Agreement. A months-long review led by David Wolfson concluded the treaty constrains government action and deemed renegotiation or derogation ineffective, arguing that withdrawal can be compatible with existing Northern Ireland and post-Brexit arrangements.

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