Keir Starmer has urged European leaders to amend human rights laws to allow tougher border protection measures against the rise of the populist right. Ahead of a European summit, he called for updates to the European convention on human rights (ECHR) to prevent asylum seekers from avoiding deportation. While Labour faces criticism from human rights advocates, Starmer argues that addressing migration challenges is essential to counter extremism.

 

High-profile figures, including Michael Palin and Stephen Fry, have urged Starmer to reconsider changes that might undermine protections for vulnerable people. The proposed updates include clarifying domestic interpretations of the right to a private life and restricting the scope of protections against "inhuman and degrading treatment." Starmer and Danish leader Mette Frederiksen encourage a collective modernization of the ECHR to address 21st-century migration issues.

 

The UK aims to emulate Denmark’s strict asylum policies, with discussions at the Strasbourg summit focusing on balancing individual rights with public safety. Despite domestic and international concerns, Starmer insists reforms will strengthen border control without abandoning human rights commitments.

 

 

Key Takeaways

• Starmer calls for ECHR changes to protect borders and address populism.
• High-profile critics argue against undermining human rights protections.
• Proposed reforms focus on updating migration-related interpretations.

 

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from  The Guardian 2025-12-09

 

 

 

Don't worry Keir me old son, we'll be out of the ECHR as soon as Reform oust your cabal of liars and charlatans. 

There's no "far-right" surge. Unless he's referring to "the pink ladies", parents concerned about their kids on the way to and from school and the grooming gangs operating unhindered. There is however a far left, take Antifa and Palestine Action for example.

1 hour ago, boloaf said:

There's no "far-right" surge. Unless he's referring to "the pink ladies", parents concerned about their kids on the way to and from school and the grooming gangs operating unhindered. There is however a far left, take Antifa and Palestine Action for example.

I understand your English but don't understand your point.  How do you measure your statement "There's no "far-right" surge."?

 

Reform's polling is dipping a bit, but they are still miles ahead of the left-leaning parties and the right-leaning Tories.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion_polling_for_the_next_United_Kingdom_general_election#/media/File:Opinion_polling_graph_for_the_next_United_Kingdom_general_election_(post-2024).svg

 

3 hours ago, Watawattana said:

I understand your English but don't understand your point.  How do you measure your statement "There's no "far-right" surge."?

 

Reform's polling is dipping a bit, but they are still miles ahead of the left-leaning parties and the right-leaning Tories.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinion_polling_for_the_next_United_Kingdom_general_election#/media/File:Opinion_polling_graph_for_the_next_United_Kingdom_general_election_(post-2024).svg

 

 

Reform are not "far right". 

4 hours ago, JonnyF said:

 

Reform are not "far right". 

Ha ha ha ha ha ha, good one!! 

5 hours ago, JonnyF said:

 

Reform are not "far right". 

 

   Anyone who isn't a Leftie is far right 

12 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Anyone who isn't a Leftie is far right 

And Reform will be lefties compared to some 🤓

1 hour ago, Watawattana said:

And Reform will be lefties compared to some 🤓

 

    Who thinks that Reform are Lefties ?

On 12/12/2025 at 2:22 PM, JonnyF said:

 

Reform are not "far right". 

 

Reform is not far right by any normal definition of the term.

 

'Far right' implies extremism of the fascist or of the "national socialist" kinds, both of which comprised authoritarian one-party rule with integration of state and corporate interests and the suppression of human rights.

 

Of course extremists, as well as psychopaths and sociopaths, hide out in all areas of the political spectrum.

 

In recent years there has been a deceitful and quite successful campaign, by those who contribute to shaping public opinion, to destroy national identity.

Techniques employed include using media-hype to link a sense of national identity, once seen positively as patriotism, with being 'far right'.

 

Cultural identity - national, local, religious, and occupational - is now decried as 'racism'.  Racism is something quite different:  it is hatred of 'The Other'.

 

The existence of national and cultural identities can be consistent with the acceptance and welcome of 'The Other'.  On condition there is felt to be present no threat.

 

This insidious propaganda is backed by powerful financial interests known to permeate the corridors of power, where they contribute to shaping government, the media, academia, and numerous NGOs and think-tanks that thrive in today's society.  Some of their ideas may come from the writings of Count Kalergi.  Unsurprisingly the E.U. issues a Kalergi Prize;  German Chancellor Angela Merkel was awarded one.

 

While Nigel Farage is a brilliant public speaker, I have some doubts about his ability to "deliver the goods" (based upon more than Enoch Powell's refusal to endorse Farage because he sensed him to be "an opportunist").  I admit to being impressed with Ben Habib whom I have listened to at some length.

 

See for example:

 

An interesting discussion, and revealing.  The U.K. Government defines 'far right' as (inter alia) ethnic culturalism :-

 

 

The U.K. Government is rotten to the core.  And publicly admits it.