Reform Party Plans Major Changes Regarding ECHR and Migration Policies

The Reform party in Britain, led by its deputy leader Richard Tice, is proposing the creation of a specialized unit focused on supporting the country’s exit from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Tice expressed his intention to merge the Border Force with the Home Office, insisting that the personnel recruited must be fully committed to ensuring border security and executing the public's will. His statements were made during a Prosperity Institute event, where he was accompanied by former Tory home secretary Suella Braverman, who discussed her recent report advocating for the UK’s departure from the ECHR. Braverman's findings suggest amending the Good Friday Agreement to eliminate references to the ECHR, which she identifies as a major barrier to withdrawal. Tice praised this approach as serious and well-considered.

Responding to these proposals, Labour leader Keir Starmer labeled leaving the ECHR a "profound mistake" and dismissed any notion of doing so. His remarks followed questions raised by Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, who critiqued the plans by comparing them to aligning with Russia under Vladimir Putin. Contrarily, Reform maintains that exiting the ECHR is essential for their strategy to deport 600,000 undocumented migrants without interference from legal frameworks. They propose legislation that would mandate the Home Secretary to take action against all illegal immigrants by detaining and deporting them based on this new legal foundation. Tice mentioned that the party is in the process of drafting this legislation ahead of the upcoming general election.

Additionally, Tice outlined plans to overhaul the current judicial appointment system, proposing a return to a pre-2006 model where ministers would have a direct role in selecting judges, rather than using the independent judicial commission. He expressed confidence in the party’s capacity to fill these positions, asserting that they are attracting highly qualified individuals from diverse backgrounds with impressive credentials and experiences.