Tory candidates have expressed they would be in favour of leaving the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) despite having proven track records of wishing to remain.
Speaking to GB News, Tom Tugendhat said he was willing to leave the ECHR and denied that his change of tone on the matter was political opportunism.
“I’ve been very, very clear I am prepared to make any decision that will keep the British people safe,” he said.
“I am prepared to leave the ECHR, or indeed any other institution that doesn’t serve the interests of the British people.”
Robert Jenrick has also argued for the UK to leave the ECHR, as has former home secretary Suella Braverman.
Despite his insistence to the contrary, Tugendhat’s U-turn in particular has been seen as a bid to win over Reform UK voters who split dozens of constituencies across the country.
Reform UK’s leader Nigel Farage called for a referendum on the UK’s continued membership of the ECHR as his maiden speech in the House of Commons turned to the issue of small boat crossings.
Addressing Tory hopefuls’ stance on the membership, Farage accused those who had thrown their hats in the ring of “pretending” to be behind the issue.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Farage said: “ECHR membership is a Tory leadership issue because Reform are a force.”
He added: “The difference is we want to leave and they just pretend.”
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