UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – New Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood plans ECHR reform and faster asylum processing to curb Reform UK’s rising influence and migration concerns.
As reported by The Guardian, Shabana Mahmood plans the European Convention on Human Rights changes to curb Nigel Farage’s Reform UK gains.
How will Shabana Mahmood’s ECHR reforms tackle Reform UK?
Shabana Mahmood plans tougher migration policies to halt Reform UK’s double-digit lead amid government inaction over the summer.
According to reports, Ms Mahmood is likely to seek reforms to the ECHR, taking a bold approach “starting with the unthinkable and working backwards,” a source says.
The Home Secretary is set to move asylum seekers from hotels to ex-military bases to accelerate processing and phase out hotel accommodation.
What did Shabana Mahmood say about the UK’s ECHR approach?
Earlier this week, before taking charge as home secretary, Shaban Mahmood said Britain has taken an extreme interpretation of the ECHR. She stated that other European nations see the UK’s stance on the ECHR as “maximalist.”
Ms Mahmood said,
“Interestingly, if you talk to colleagues across Europe, there is a view that Britain is maybe more at the maximalist end of the spectrum when it comes to interpreting how we might comply with our international obligations.”
The home secretary stated,
“I think it’s perfectly fine for us to question whether we have drawn the line in the right place, and the work that the Home Secretary is doing has both, you know, fresh guidance, secondary legislation or primary legislation all on the table as potential options.”
How will the UK’s ECHR exit and “one in, one out” deals affect asylum policy?
Nigel Farage insists on leaving the European Convention, replacing it with a British Bill of Rights limited to citizens and legal residents, despite concerns over the Good Friday Agreement.
Reports suggest Britain is finalising a “one in, one out” returns deal with Germany, following a similar agreement with France.
Under the deal with France, the UK can return one irregular entrant in exchange for taking someone from France whose UK asylum claim is expected to succeed.
Ministers said the agreement could be “game-changing,” yet it will initially apply to a few asylum seekers. As boats do not depart from Germany, the deal with Friedrich Merz’s government mainly covers migrants passing through Germany to reach France.
What did Sir Keir Starmer say about withdrawing from the ECHR?
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has warned that leaving the European Convention on Human Rights would be a “profound mistake.”
He confirmed the UK will remain in the treaty but plans to review the interpretation of certain provisions of the convention.
Mr Starmer said,
“We will not withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights. We do need to make sure that both the convention and other instruments are fit for the circumstances we face at the moment.”
He stated,
“It would be a profound mistake to pull out of these instruments, because the first thing that would follow is every other country in the world that adheres to these instruments would pull out of all their agreements with this country. That would be catastrophic for dealing with the problem that we are dealing with.”
What did John Healey say about Shabana Mahmood’s stance on Palestine Action?
Defence Secretary John Healey said Shabana Mahmood is expected to take a stance “just as tough as Cooper” on Palestine Action, which the government banned under the Terrorism Act for opposing Israel’s assault on Gaza.
He stated,
“I expect her to defend the decision the government has taken top proscribe Palestine Action because of what some of its members are responsible for and were planning, and I expect her to do that in the courts as well.”
Mr Healy added,
“If we want to avoid a two-tier policing and justice system in this country, when people break the law, there have to be consequences. That’s what was happening yesterday.”
Key facts about asylum seekers in the UK
In 2024, the UK received 84,200 asylum applications, with 224,700 cases pending by June. Most asylum seekers cannot work and receive only £49.18 per week in support.
Top nationalities include Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and Bangladesh. Grant rates vary, with 98% for Sudanese and Syrians, and 48% overall.