Look, I've covered politics for years, and I honestly didn't have "Jeremy Hunt goes nuclear on European human rights laws" on my 2025 bingo card.
But here we are. The former Chancellor – who's usually about as radical as a cup of Earl Grey – just told Times Radio that we need to "rip up and rewrite" the entire European Convention on Human Rights. His exact words. I rewound the audio three times because I thought I'd misheard.
The Moderate Goes Rogue
Hunt's not exactly known for firebrand politics. This is the guy who survived as Health Secretary for six years without causing a revolution. So when he starts talking about tearing up international law, you know something's shifted.
His argument? The ECHR is "totally outdated" for dealing with what he calls our "globally mobile population." Translation: people are moving around the world in ways that the post-WW2 framers never imagined, and it's breaking our immigration system.
Fair point, actually.
Saturday's Boat Crossings Changed Everything
Hunt specifically mentioned the small boat crossings that happened over the weekend. Numbers are up under Labour – that's just the brutal reality of the data. And every time the government tries to deport someone, you get these appeals to Strasbourg that range from legitimate to absolutely bonkers.
Remember the Albanian drug dealer who claimed his kid couldn't be deported because the boy didn't like foreign chicken nuggets? I'm not making this up. That actually happened in 2023, and it's become the poster child for everything wrong with the current system.
Hunt's basically saying: enough.
Nine Countries Are Already Moving (Britain Isn't One of Them)
Here's what really caught my attention – there's apparently a group of nine European countries already pushing for a "new and open-minded conversation" about how we interpret the Convention.
Britain's not part of that group.
Hunt thinks we should be leading it instead of sitting on the sidelines while other countries shape the debate. Given our history with European institutions, that's... actually pretty sensible positioning.
The Politics Are Getting Messy
Starmer's trying to thread the needle here. He's promised new laws that would force courts to throw out ridiculous ECHR appeals, but he won't commit to leaving the Convention entirely. That's classic Labour – reform from within rather than blow everything up.
Meanwhile, Farage wants out completely (shocking, I know), and Kemi Badenoch's keeping her options open. The Tory leadership's clearly feeling the pressure from Reform on this issue.
Poor Lord Richard Hermer learned this the hard way last week when he compared leaving the ECHR to Nazi Germany rising. The backlash was swift and brutal – he apologized within days.
What Happens Next?
Hunt's intervention matters because he's not some backbench rebel or leadership hopeful trying to make headlines. When moderate Tories start talking about ripping up international law, that's the political center of gravity shifting in real time.
The question now is whether Starmer takes the hint and joins those nine countries pushing for reform, or whether he sticks with his current approach of tinkering around the edges.
Either way, Hunt just made this conversation a lot more interesting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the role of the judiciary in politics?
The judiciary interprets and applies the law, ensuring justice and upholding the constitution. It serves as a check on the powers of the legislative and executive branches, protecting individual rights and maintaining the rule of law.
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Lobbying involves advocating for specific interests or causes to influence lawmakers and policy decisions. While lobbying can provide valuable information to legislators, it can also lead to concerns about undue influence and corruption.
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A politician is an individual who is actively involved in politics, typically as a member of a political party or a government. Their primary role includes representing the interests of their constituents, making decisions on public policy, and contributing to the legislative process.
What is the function of the executive branch?
The executive branch is responsible for implementing and enforcing laws, managing the day-to-day operations of government, and administering public policy. It is headed by the president or prime minister, depending on the country's system.
Statistics
- Research indicates that around 80% of individuals in democracies feel that their government does not adequately represent their interests.
- As of 2023, public trust in government institutions has declined, with only 20% of citizens expressing confidence in their national governments.
- Polling data indicates that over 50% of Americans support the idea of ranked-choice voting as a method to improve electoral fairness.
- Approximately 60% of eligible voters in the United States participated in the 2020 presidential election, marking the highest turnout rate in over a century.
- According to recent studies, around 75% of Americans believe that campaign financing significantly impacts election outcomes.
- Surveys show that nearly 70% of voters prioritize environmental issues when selecting candidates for public office.
- Approximately 90% of political campaigns in the U.S. utilize social media as a primary tool for outreach and engagement with voters.
- Data reveals that around 40% of the global population lives under some form of authoritarian regime, affecting their political freedoms.
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