Jack Straw urges Starmer to reconsider ECHR membership

Jack Straw, a former Labour cabinet minister, has urged Keir Starmer to reconsider the UK's relationship with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). He criticized the court's judges and lack of democratic accountability in a letter to The Times. Straw argues that the success of the Human Rights Act, established by Tony Blair's government, questions the need for ECHR membership. He believes the UK can protect human rights without being bound by the Strasbourg court. The debate comes as recent asylum cases highlight challenges in deporting foreign criminals due to ECHR rulings. Reform UK plans to withdraw from the convention if elected, while Conservative views on the issue remain divided.