Will Tugendhat’s Pledge to Leave the ECHR Shake the UK? Can He Win the Tory Leadership by Targeting Human Rights Laws?H
Tom Tugendhat apologised for the past few years of Conservative infighting as he launched his leadership campaign yesterday, saying: ‘Politics is not a game.’
The former security minister promised to be ‘sober and serious’, adding that the Conservative Party ‘owes you better’.
Speaking at the Royal Horseguards Hotel in Whitehall yesterday, he reiterated a pledge made during the summer to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) if it prevented the government from deporting foreign criminals – a day after leadership rival Kemi Badenoch had dismissed the suggestion as an attempt to seek ‘easy answers’.
Warning that human rights laws are preventing the deportation of ‘murderers and rapists’, Mr Tugendhat added: ‘The entire purpose of international treaties is to keep British people safe, not for us to worship international treaties.’
Another of Mr Tugendhat’s rivals, former immigration minister Robert Jenrick, has also said he would leave the ECHR.
The former security minister Tom Tugendhat promised to be ‘sober and serious’, adding that the Conservative Party ‘owes you better’. (Tom Tugendhat speaking at a Conservative Party leadership campaign event at the Royal Horseguards Hotel)
Leadership rival Kemi Badenoch (pictured0 had dismissed the suggestion of leaving the ECHR as an attempt to seek ‘easy answers’. (Kemi Badenoch speaking at a Conservative Party leadership campaign event at IET London)
Another of Mr Tugendhat’s rivals, former immigration minister Robert Jenrick (pictured), has also said he would leave the ECHR. (Robert Jenrick speaking at a Conservative Party leadership campaign event at the QEII Centre)
Former home secretary Dame Priti Patel (pictured) has five MPs saying they will support her campaign. (Dame Priti Patel speaking at the launch of her Conservative Party leadership campaign in Westminster)
Mr Tugendhat said that the treaty – established in 1949 – was written ‘for a different world’ and the UK should be able to opt out of some aspects. ‘If it turns out that the treaty can’t be reformed and I can’t protect people from violent criminals, from murderers and rapists, then yes, we will leave the ECHR,’ he said.
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Tugendhat says sorry for Tory infighting as he launches leader bid with MPs ready to evict hopefuls
Focusing on immigration, he added: ‘To drive change we do need clear targets, otherwise there’s always going to be another excuse, so under my leadership the maximum level of non-British net migration will be capped at 100,000 people per year.
‘That will allow businesses to start planning for a different kind of economy.’
The six leadership candidates took part in a hustings yesterday before a vote by Conservative MPs today will whittle them down to two. Tory members will then vote, with the winner expected to be declared on November 2.
Mr Jenrick currently leads, with 17 MPs declaring their support for him, while former business secretary Ms Badenoch has 13 declared supporters.
Mr Tugendhat has seven declared backers among MPs, the same number as former work and pensions secretary Mel Stride and one more than former home secretary James Cleverly.
Former home secretary Dame Priti Patel has five MPs saying they will support her campaign.
