European Convention on Human Rights (withdrawal): Ten Minute Rule Motion

MPs voted on 29 October 2025 on whether Nigel Farage should be allowed to introduce a Bill to withdraw the United Kingdom from the European Convention on Human Rights. The motion was defeated by 154 votes to 96. The procedure used was a Ten Minute Rule Motion, which gives a backbench MP a brief opportunity to make the case for a new Bill and test whether the House will grant leave to bring it in. The practical consequence of the defeat is that Farage cannot proceed with this particular Bill through this route. The vote touched on significant questions of constitutional law, specifically whether the UK should remain bound by the ECHR, remain subject to the jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, and retain the Human Rights Act 1998, which incorporated the Convention into domestic law. The Bill would also have affected immigration and deportation decisions that have at times been subject to challenge under the Convention. The vote divided sharply along party lines. All 85 Conservative MPs who voted backed the Ayes, as did all 7 Reform UK members who voted and 2 DUP members. Labour MPs, Liberal Democrats, the SNP, Plaid Cymru, the Greens, and most independents voted No. However, 298 Labour MPs and 38 Labour and Co-operative MPs had no vote recorded, as did 31 Conservatives, meaning the active opposition to the Bill was driven largely by Liberal Democrats and Labour MPs who did participate.