Yesterday two Labour MPs, Jake Richards and Dan Tomlinson, published an article in the Times calling for ECHR reform. Arj Singh also has a story today in the i previewing what Shabana Mahmood will say on this topic in her speech later (see 9.19am), and he quotes the Labour MP Steve Yemm saying the UK should be at the forefront of efforts to update the convention. Yemm says:
I do think the UK should now put itself at the forefront of making the case for reform of the ECHR. Articles 3 and 8 have unintended consequence and are clearly creating barriers for example in deporting foreign criminals.
It can’t be right if a treaty that we signed 75 years ago means that we are struggling to enact policy on migration that the voters favour. The best way to safeguard the convention is to make it fit for purpose.
But Singh also quotes an unnamed minister saying that pushing for ECHR reform is risky because it could raise expectations that don’t get met, just as David Cameron did when he tried to renegotiate the terms of the UK’s membership of the EU before the Brexit referendum. Cameron did secure some changes, but they were widely viewed as minimal and disappointing.
Good morning. Keir Starmer is on his way back from the G7 in Canada, and he won’t be in the Commons for PMQs, where Angela Rayner will be taking the questions instead. With the government also publishing its bill to slash sickness and disability benefits, Starmer may feel its a good day not to be around. As Pippa Crerar and Jessica Elgot report, ministers are expecting a big revolt when MPs debate the legislation, probably in early July.
There will be no statement on the bill in the Commons, but we are getting one on HS2.
Shabana Mahmood, the justice secretary, is also floating reform plans in another area. She is giving a speech in Strasbourg where she will argue that the way the European convention on human rights – the international human rights law which is embedded in UK statute in the Human Rights Act and which has angered ministers of all parties because of the way it restricts the deportation of refused asylum seekers – must evolve. According to a preview by Sam Blewett for Politico, she will say:
If a foreign national commits a serious crime, they should expect to be removed from the country …
The European convention on human rights is one of the great achievements of postwar politics. It has endured because it has evolved. Now, it must do so again.
Getting Labour MPs to vote for benefits cut is probably easier than trying to overhaul the ECHR. Previous governments have tried, with very limited success. But Starmer’s government is pushing on this when many other European governments also want to see the ECHR “evolve”.
Here is the agenda for the day.
9.30am: James Cartlidge, the shadow defence secretary, holds a press conference to announce plans to improve armed forces’ housing.
11am (UK time): Shabana Mahmood, the justice secretary, gives a speech at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on reforming the European convention of human rights.
Noon: Angela Rayner, the deputy PM, takes PMQs, because Keir Starmer was away at the G7 in Canada. Alex Burghart, the shadow Cabinet Office minister, stood in for Kemi Badenoch the last time Starmer was away, but it has not been confirmed yet that he will do so again today.
After 12.30pm: Heidi Alexander, transport secretary, makes a statement to MPs about HS2. As Kiran Stacey and Gwyn Topham report, she will say that the Conservatives wasted billions of pounds on the project through poor management, badly negotiated contracts and constant design change.
4.30pm: Adm Sir Tony Radakin, the chief of the defence staff, speaks at a Rusi conference.
And at some point today Liz Kendall, the work and pensions secretary, is publishing the univeral credit and personal independent payment bill.
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