General Election 2015: Four things you should know about the tories’ plan to scrap the Human Rights Act
The Conservatives are hoping to rid the UK of the Human Rights Act, and this has caused some consternation.
But what does it mean exactly, when you scratch beneath the surface? Does the Prime Minister have a viable alternative? And will it do just as much to protect human rights?
Here are the key things you need to know about the Human Rights Act, and why the Conservatives are trying to get the UK out of its grip.
Introduced by Labour, disliked by the Conservatives.
The act came into force in 2000 under Tony Blair's Labour government. It effectively codifies the protections in the European Convention on Human Rights of which Britain is a signatory, and the purpose was to give the UK court a greater role in determining cases without referring them to Strasbourg.
Many tories have called on Cameron to completely withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights, but the Prime Minister has chosen not to take it that far.
The alternative
Instead of having the Council of Europe's version, Cameron wants to introduce a new “British bill of Rights”. There is currently no evidence to suggest it would result in worse treatment of human beings.
Aims to make British law supreme
The purpose of this is to make the UK supreme over Strasbourg's European Court of Human Rights when dealing with matters in the UK. It would give Britain much more control over the laws it implements, according to Cameron.
It's Gove's job
In Cameron's new cabinet, former education secretary Michael Gove has been made justice secretary. The responsibility of removing the old act and introducing the new one will therefore be his.