Party policy divisions: human rights

Theresa May, the Home Secretary, announced at the weekend that she would like to repeal the Human Rights Act. This is yet another example of clear blue water between the government and the Labour opposition on party policy that has emerged during the conference season.

According to the BBC:

“Speaking as the Conservative Party conference got under way in Manchester, Ms May said: “I’d personally like to see the Human Rights Act go because I think we have had some problems with it.

“I see it, here in the Home Office, particularly, the sort of problems we have in being unable to deport people who perhaps are terrorist suspects.

“Obviously we’ve seen it with some foreign criminals who are in the UK.”“

The reacton from the Labour front bench was also included in the same BBC report:

“Shadow justice minister Sadiq Khan described scrapping the act as a “lazy and incoherent position to hold”.

“When Tory ministers blame the Human Rights Act, it’s usually an excuse not to sort out the problem or a cover for their own failing policies,” he said.

He called on government to clarify the coalition’s stance.

“Either the deputy prime minister has been overruled, or this is another fantasy policy from Theresa May.”“