Chris Philp has suggested that Britain will never fully regain control of its borders unless it leaves the European Convention on Human Rights, as the Conservatives sought to intensify pressure on Sir Keir Starmer over immigration and public order.
The Shadow Home Secretary argued that there was “ultimately only one way to end illegal immigration”, insisting that the UK’s membership of the ECHR continues to frustrate efforts to remove failed asylum seekers and foreign offenders.
His intervention came as ministers faced mounting questions over migration, integration and community tensions following violent disorder in Belfast.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Philp said: “Violence of any kind in protest is never justified. Innocent people should never be targeted, and nobody should ever set fire to houses or cars.
“Speaking as a father, no one should ever feel unsafe in their homes. The police, I hope, will bring the perpetrators swiftly to justice.”
“I do understand, though, why people are angry. The suspect came into the UK illegally. He should never have been here in the first place. Mainstream politicians must now understand how angry the public are about mass illegal immigration.
“If mainstream politics does not stop this, the public will turn elsewhere.
“Since the election, 73,000 people have entered the country illegally via small boat, mostly young men.
“Many have committed serious crimes. I recently met the mother of Rhiannon White, a young woman brutally murdered by a Sudanese small boat migrant. There have been multiple rapes and sexual assaults with victims as young as just 13.
I’ve come over time to realise there is ultimately only one way to end illegal immigration by leaving the ECHR so we can deport all illegal migrants on arrival.
“Then illegal migration will stop, and these appalling crimes with it.”
While distancing himself from the violence, Mr Philp used the debate to renew Conservative attacks on the Government’s immigration record, arguing that public frustration has been fuelled by years of record migration and continued small-boat crossings.
The Conservatives have increasingly coalesced around a position that Britain should leave the ECHR if necessary to regain greater control over immigration policy.
Mr Philp’s remarks represent one of the clearest indications yet that the party intends to make withdrawal from the Convention a central dividing line with Labour before the next general election.
Sir Keir Starmer has repeatedly ruled out leaving the ECHR, arguing that Britain can secure its borders while remaining within international legal frameworks.
Ministers maintain that stronger enforcement, new returns agreements and closer international co-operation can reduce illegal migration without withdrawing from the Convention.
But Conservative figures argue that legal challenges based on human rights law continue to prevent the swift removal of migrants with no right to remain in Britain.
The row comes at a politically sensitive moment for Labour, with immigration remaining one of the issues voters consistently rank among their biggest concerns.
With Reform UK also pressing for a tougher approach to migration, Conservative strategists believe the question of Britain’s relationship with the ECHR could become one of the defining political battlegrounds of the coming years.
For now, ministers remain adamant that quitting the Convention is unnecessary. But Mr Philp’s intervention underscores the growing pressure on the Government from opponents who argue that only a fundamental break with existing human rights arrangements will allow Britain to fully control its borders.
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