7 days ago
‘Complete bunkum': Lord Lilley dismantles claims the ECHR reflects UK values
Peter Lilley, the former cabinet minister, has called for the UK to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), arguing its influence has undermined parliamentary sovereignty.
'Attlee was extremely reluctant to sign up,' Lilley said, 'and only did so on condition that the jurisdiction of the court it created didn't apply in the UK.' He claims the convention has since evolved into 'a transfer of the power to make laws and make political judgments from parliament to the courts'.
While some Conservatives remain divided over the ECHR's role, Labour has not fared any better in the past. ' Blair himself asked John Reid, his Home Secretary, I think Blunkett, another Home Secretary to look into ways of overriding it or leaving bits of it. So, the Labour Party has found it as problematic as the Conservatives have when they've been in power,' he said.
On Kemi Badenoch's leadership, Lilley offered a measured endorsement, praising her approach to evidence-based policy and democratic principle. 'She does in some ways [remind me of Thatcher],' he said, recounting her 'pure common sense' during their work together. Lilley warned against internal manoeuvring, stating clearly: 'If [opponents] are manoeuvring to displace her… it's not good for the party and therefore it's not good for the country.'
