“The biggest shake up of our democracy since 1832.” That’s how Nick
Clegg is describing the legislative package that he’s announcing today. And, even if
that’s pure bravado, there’s certainly plenty of encouraging stuff in it. Scrapping ID cards; restricting the storage of innocent people’s DNA; and the government is even set to ask the
public which laws they’d like to see repealed. Sign me up.
But it’s one omission which is really ruffling Tory feathers today. There will not, it seems, be an immediate move to supplant or even dilute the European Convention on Human Rights with a British Bill of Rights. Speaking on Radio 4 this morning, Theresa May stressed that this is still a matter for negotiation within the coalition. But all signs are that an independent commission will be established to look into the possibilities for moving forward. So, back to the drawing board.
The idea is clearly to placate those Tory backbenchers who are eager to tear up the ECHR.
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