We have been here before. Several times. Five consecutive Tory PMs up to Rishi Sunak speculated about, or advocated, repudiating the European Convention (and Court) of Human Rights, which Britain helped draft in 1951, and of which Boris Johnson had previously spoken warmly as “one of the great things we gave to Europe”.

Supporters of the European Convention on Human Rights must seize the moment and confront right-wing propaganda demanding the UK leaves it now - or risk a Brexit-style disaster, argues Kevin Maguire.

The government’s attack on the Human Rights Act is a betrayal of those Conservatives who helped create it.

It has not even been five months since the end of the Brexit transition period and there have been armed patrol vessels in the Channel.

In just the first few months of 2021, the UK has slashed its overseas aid budget, made clear its intent to pursue trade deals at all costs – including turning a blind eye to human rights atrocities and genocide – and announced an increase in funding to the UK’s weapons of mass destruction by 40%, signalling the start of a new arms race and ripping up 30 years of commitment to gradual disarmament.

Rumblings from No 10 and the cabinet want you to believe that the ECHR is being ‘abused’ by European judges. The reality couldn’t be more different.

Our fundamental values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law are under direct threat. The next election has to produce a different outcome, and we'll get it by holding the prime minister accountable

Deals containing clauses that threaten human rights are being debated in parliament – they must be defeated.