Bright Blue is today launching a new policy campaign from its one-year inquiry into human rights, calling on the Prime Minister to confirm that any future Conservative Government will ensure the UK remains a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) after Brexit.
This Spring, Bright Blue will launch the final report from its one-year inquiry into human rights, which is led and will be launched by a high-profile commission of conservative MPs and opinion formers such as former Cabinet Ministers the Rt Hon Dominic Grieve QC MP (Chair, Intelligence Select Committee), the Rt Hon Maria Miller MP (Chair, Women and Equalities Select Committee) and the Rt Hon Dame Caroline Spelman MP (Second Estates Church Commissioner).
Commenting, Ryan Shorthouse – Director of Bright Blue – said:
“When she was standing to become leader of the Conservative Party last summer, the Prime Minister promised Conservative MPs that she would abandon her plan to withdraw the UK from the European Convention on Human Rights. It is vital she keeps to her word on this and confirms that any future Conservative Government will ensure that the UK remains a signatory of the European Convention on Human Rights.
“The Prime Minister has been clear that just because we are leaving the European Union, it does not mean we are leaving Europe. Brexit should not mean abandoning important and common European values, which are enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights.
“The European Convention on Human Rights, written and championed by Conservative politicians after World War Two, originally exported English common law to the rest of Europe and now enhances the freedom and protections of people across the continent, including the rights of gay and lesbian people, the rights of the media against state censorship, more effective prosecution of domestic violence, and the rights of illegitimate children. We should be, and remain, proud signatories of it.”
“Bright Blue’s new policy campaign on the European Convention on Human Rights, which will be a petition for the public to sign, is one policy of over 60 that is being recommended by commissioners of Bright Blue’s year-long inquiry into human rights.
Commenting, The Rt Hon Maria Miller MP, a commissioner of Bright Blue’s year-long human rights inquiry, said:
“The European Convention on Human Rights has been crucial to reducing discrimination towards – and protecting the human rights of – people in this country and in more oppressive countries across the continent. As we leave the European Union, we should be clear we are not leaving Europe: the UK should remain a proud signatory of the European Convention on Human Rights”.
Commenting, The Rt Hon Dominic Grieve QC MP, a commissioner of Bright Blue’s year-long human rights inquiry, said:
“The European Convention on Human Rights has been the bedrock sustaining and improving human rights in Europe for over 60 years. The UK has been central to its success and should be to its future. We should commit to remaining in it”.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
For further media enquiries, please contact our Communications Manager of Bright Blue, Laura Round, on laura@brightblue.org.uk or 07543759844.
Please visit our website to find out more: http://humanrights.brightblue.org.uk/
