The UK government is stepping into increasingly difficult territory as it tries to balance public frustration over immigration with its long-standing commitment to human rights. Under mounting pressure, Labour ministers are now calling for reforms to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), but they’re doing so with caution, not confrontation.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood recently made it clear that Britain doesn’t want to walk away from the ECHR. Instead, the government wants to update the way the convention is applied, particularly in cases involving immigration and deportation. She pointed to growing public concern over cases where convicted foreign offenders are allowed to stay in the UK, often by citing rights to family life or protection from mistreatment. According to Mahmood, these situations undermine trust in the system and create the sense that human rights are being used to block justice.
But the government’s approach is more reformist than radical. Rather than tearing up the rulebook, ministers are hoping to work with other European countries, many of which are facing similar issues, to make the convention fit today’s challenges. Nations like Italy and Denmark have voiced similar frustrations, suggesting a shared appetite for change across the continent.
Still, not everyone agrees on how far to go. The Council of Europe has warned against politicizing the ECHR, with Secretary-General Alain Berset urging governments to be careful not to twist human rights law for short-term political gains. He’s pushing for thoughtful adjustments rather than sweeping changes.
Back in Westminster, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is in a tough spot. As a former human rights lawyer, he understands the importance of upholding fundamental protections. But he also knows that voters want a system that feels fair and effective. His government has launched a review of how UK tribunals are applying human rights law in deportation cases, part of a broader effort to restore confidence without abandoning key principles.
While some political rivals on the right are calling for Britain to leave the ECHR entirely, the government is opting for a more balanced path. They’re trying to modernize the system without turning their backs on it. In many ways, it’s a test of whether the UK can stay true to its values while responding to the very real concerns of its people.
