Posts
Following the publication of the political declaration on the UK’s future relationship with the EU, Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson Ed Davey has written to the Prime Minister, urging her to commit to retaining the European Convention on Human Rights in UK law.
In the letter, Davey raises concerns over new language in paragraph 7 of the political declaration, which states that “The future relationship should incorporate the United Kingdom's continued commitment to respect the framework of the European Convention on Human Rights”. He argues that this is not sufficient, and asks the Prime Minister to clarify whether this could mean the UK leaving the ECHR.
Ed Davey commented:
“If Theresa May is once again threatening to withdraw the UK from the European Convention on Human Rights, she must come clean with Parliament and the people.
“She has no mandate to allow people’s individual freedoms to be curbed, yet her political declaration appears to suggest she might withdraw us from the ECHR after Brexit, even though it is totally separate from the EU.
“The Liberal Democrats demand better. We will continue to lead the fight against attempts to withdraw the UK from the ECHR, and to fight to give the people the final say on Theresa May’s deal, with the option of an Exit from Brexit.”
In the letter, Davey raises concerns over new language in paragraph 7 of the political declaration, which states that “The future relationship should incorporate the United Kingdom's continued commitment to respect the framework of the European Convention on Human Rights”. He argues that this is not sufficient, and asks the Prime Minister to clarify whether this could mean the UK leaving the ECHR.
Ed Davey commented:
“If Theresa May is once again threatening to withdraw the UK from the European Convention on Human Rights, she must come clean with Parliament and the people.
“She has no mandate to allow people’s individual freedoms to be curbed, yet her political declaration appears to suggest she might withdraw us from the ECHR after Brexit, even though it is totally separate from the EU.
“The Liberal Democrats demand better. We will continue to lead the fight against attempts to withdraw the UK from the ECHR, and to fight to give the people the final say on Theresa May’s deal, with the option of an Exit from Brexit.”
The full text of Ed Davey’s letter to the Prime Minister:
Dear Theresa,
The outline of the political declaration setting out the framework for the future relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom published by the Government last week (on 14th November) included as one of the initial provisions:
“Reaffirmation of the United Kingdom's commitment to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)”.
However, the draft political declaration published today (22nd November) merely states that:
“The future relationship should incorporate the United Kingdom's continued commitment to respect the framework of the European Convention on Human Rights”.
This is deeply concerning. The Liberal Democrats believe that the ECHR’s guarantee of individual freedoms is essential for keeping our society free and democratic. The UK must remain a party to the ECHR, and we do not believe that a commitment merely to “respect its framework” is sufficient.
Can you please explain the reasons for this change of wording and explain what effect it would have. Specifically, do you believe it would be possible to “respect the framework” of the ECHR without remaining a party to it under the jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights
Can you also please clarify what the Government’s policy is on the ECHR. Will you commit to the UK remaining a party to it in the future, even if we leave the EU?
Yours sincerely,
Ed
No comments:
Post a Comment