The UK made a strategic mistake in dismissing theĀ Messina ConferenceĀ in 1955. This moment is not as seismic – but the UK should not pass up the opportunity to shape the post-Brexit, post-Ukraine, Europe where it can.
The European Court of Human Rights seems unlikely to block the Rwanda policy outright, but it could try to foul it up until after the next election.
Any move to grab more powers next year is going to end badly for politicians in Brussels.
As we depart the EU, a new commitment to this older body would demonstrate our continuing commitment to our friends on the continent.
Furthermore, the change creates a brand new cart to put before the horse – that’s to say, the awaited defence and security review.
Noel Malcolm warns that the European Court of Human Rights has become a threat to democracy.
We should commit to tackling racism where it exists – not working ourselves into paroxysms of outrage.
Proposals that define Convention rights in ways other than the Court determines send the wrong message.