The Conservatives have been making unfavourable noises about the Human Rights Act, but this merely incorporates provisions that the UK ratified on the 8th of March 1951. Is it possible to repeal the ECHR and remain within the Council of Europe? I don't know. I do know that the only territories in Europe that aren't members are the Vatican City and Belarus. Monaco joined today, you see.

Much of the media and many politicians refuse to distinguish between the Council of Europe and the European Union, giving the impression that the European Court of Human Rights is an institution of the latter. The next time a parliamentary candidate canvasses you, ask them whether they can tell the difference. If they can't, they're too ignorant to be elected. If they won't, they're too mendacious.

posted at: 22:27 | path: /maunderings | permanent link to this entry