Westminster is reeling after two senior Conservative figures launched a blistering assault on the European Convention on Human Rights, exposing deepening fault lines within the party over Britain's legal framework.
Frontbench Fury
In an extraordinary display of internal dissent, Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch and Policing Minister Chris Philp have openly criticised the human rights convention that has guided British law for decades. Their comments represent a significant challenge to Rishi Sunak's authority and reveal the ongoing battle over Britain's post-Brexit legal identity.
The Sovereignty Battle
Chris Philp fired the first shot, declaring the European Convention on Human Rights was "no longer fit for purpose" and demanding its replacement with a British Bill of Rights. The senior minister didn't mince words, stating the current system had been "stretched beyond its original intentions" and was hampering the government's ability to control borders.
Badenoch's Broadside
Adding fuel to the fire, Kemi Badenoch delivered her own critique during a radio interview. While stopping short of calling for immediate withdrawal, she expressed serious concerns about how the convention was being interpreted by courts, particularly in relation to immigration cases.
Party at War
The public airing of grievances highlights three clear factions within the Conservative Party:
- The Reformers: Pushing for complete withdrawal from the ECHR
- The Moderates: Seeking reform while remaining within the convention
- The Traditionalists: Arguing for maintaining the status quo
Rwanda Policy Implications
This internal conflict comes at a critical moment for the government's flagship immigration policy. The Supreme Court is currently considering the legality of the Rwanda asylum scheme, with many legal experts believing the European Convention will play a decisive role in the outcome.
Constitutional Crisis Looming
Legal experts warn that withdrawing from the European Convention would place Britain in rare company internationally. Only one other European nation - Belarus - currently operates outside the convention framework, potentially damaging Britain's global reputation as a human rights champion.
The public rebellion from senior ministers suggests the Prime Minister faces an increasingly difficult balancing act between party unity and Britain's international obligations as the next election approaches.
