Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp vows ECHR exit and stricter border controls to curb migration

At the recent party conference, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp outlined the Conservative plan to leave the European Court of Human Rights as a cornerstone of tighter border security. He argued that requiring every parliamentary candidate to endorse ECHR withdrawal builds confidence that the policy will be implemented, and cited poll data indicating broad voter backing. Philp dismissed concerns about abandoning human rights, pointing to other democracies with strong rights records and noting that domestic law can fill any gaps.

He called for rapid deportations of illegal entrants, including possible returns to origin or safe third countries such as Rwanda, and warned that the Labour “one-in-one-out” scheme has failed. Drawing on examples from Australia and the United States, he said a credible deterrent would sharply reduce crossings. Philp concluded that mass migration must end, with only high-skill migrants admitted.