The New Statesman | UK politics and culture Jake Richards MP on the welfare bill and ECHR reform
Jul 6, 2025
Jake Richards, Labour MP for Rother Valley, discusses the pressing need for reforms to the European Convention on Human Rights. He highlights the political risks of changing the UK’s ECHR membership and the impact of welfare reform on Personal Independence Payment claimants. Richards advocates for a bolder strategy in addressing these challenges while navigating public misconceptions. He shares personal experiences from parliamentary life, emphasizing the importance of impactful changes for his constituents and the nation.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
ECHR Needs Reform
- The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is increasingly seen as not serving national interests across Europe.
- Labour MP Jake Richardson believes reforming the ECHR is necessary to better align it with current realities.
Public Concern Over ECHR Impact
- The ECHR can prevent deportation of serious offenders due to conditions in foreign prisons, causing public outrage.
- Labour MP Jake Richardson stresses the need to address perceived unfairness to maintain public trust and prevent populist gains.
ECHR As A Living Instrument
- Respect for international law must be balanced with a healthy level of critique to ensure laws evolve.
- The ECHR should be treated as a living instrument that must adapt with societal and political changes, says Jake Richardson.