Attorney General Calls for 'Militant' Approach to Rule of Law and Human Rights

In a significant shift from previous administrations, Lord Hermer, the UK's Attorney General, has called for a "militant" approach to advancing the rule of law and human rights legislation. Speaking at a fringe meeting of the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, Lord Hermer emphasized that these principles would be central to all government decisions under Labour leadership.

The Attorney General, a former colleague of Sir Keir Starmer at Matrix Chambers, stressed the importance of the Human Rights Act, introduced by the last Labour government in 1998. He urged ministers and Labour supporters not to apologize for this landmark legislation, which has been a target of criticism by successive Conservative governments.

"We do not want a society that is simply ruled by laws. We want a society in which respect for human dignity is a guiding principle, and the human rights framework that the last Labour government introduced is one that we should not apologise for, or seek to make excuses for. It is one that we must own."

Lord Hermer warned about the threat of populism to human rights, calling for a proactive defense of these principles. He emphasized the need to explain the rule of law and human rights in accessible language to counter populist narratives.

The Attorney General's stance marks a clear departure from recent Conservative approaches, particularly regarding immigration policies. The previous government's attempts to water down human rights defenses for migrants, especially in relation to the controversial Rwanda asylum plan, stand in stark contrast to Labour's renewed commitment to human rights principles.

At the same event, Shabana Mahmood, the Justice Secretary, addressed the ongoing crisis in prison capacity. She hinted at potential emergency measures to tackle overcrowding, building on the recently implemented early release scheme. This scheme aims to free up approximately 5,500 spaces by releasing prisoners after serving 40% of their sentences instead of 50%.

The Labour Party's emphasis on the rule of law and human rights, coupled with practical approaches to pressing issues like prison overcrowding, signals a comprehensive reset in governance approach. As the UK faces complex challenges, from legal reforms to prison management, the new administration's commitment to these fundamental principles will be closely watched by both supporters and critics alike.