Nigel Farage today vowed to ‘take back control of our borders’ by unveiling legislation to leave the European Convention on Human Rights.
The Reform UK leader told the Daily Mail that Britain’s membership of the treaty had ‘totally neutered’ the Government’s ability to deport illegal migrants.
He will present a 10-minute rule Bill to the Commons which would see Britain withdraw from the ECHR, while also leaving the Council of Europe and repealing the Human Rights Act.
Mr Farage told the Daily Mail last night that his three-page Bill would give MPs a chance to control immigration.
‘This debate is one of vital national importance,’ he said. ‘With growing crime rates from illegal immigrants, our ability to deport has been totally neutered by membership of the ECHR.
‘I am the only politician who consistently called for Britain’s withdrawal from the ECHR – without this, we will never take back control of our borders.
‘We must deal with this, and today, Parliament will have a chance.’
The UK would quit the Convention on April 30 next year if the Bill is passed, though it is unlikely to do so without government support.
Labour has said it will look at how international law is being interpreted by British courts to tackle the small boats crisis, but remains committed to membership of the ECHR.
Sir Keir Starmer said earlier this month that he did not want to ‘tear down’ human rights laws, but wanted to look again at aspects of the Convention which are used by foreign criminals to avoid deportation.
The Tories, however, have said the time is right to leave the ‘straitjacket’ of the ECHR.
Kemi Badenoch said the move was necessary to regain control of Britain’s borders and make Parliament sovereign once more.
She insisted that every Tory candidate sign up to the pledge or be barred from standing at the next general election, but the move has faced opposition from moderate Tory MPs.
Ten minute rule bills are a type of Private Members’ Bill that allow a backbench MP to make his or her case for a new Bill in a speech lasting up to ten minutes. There can be a vote on whether the Bill is introduced.
