21 June 2024 , 00:34
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With just two weeks left to go until the nation decides which party will lead the UK following the General Election, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak did little to drum up support from voters when his policies drew cries of “shame” from the audience during a televised BBC Question Time special.
The Conservative Party leader took to the floor for thirty minutes on Thursday evening, where he fielded questions from members of the public on a number of subjects ranging from NHS waiting lists and illegal migration, through to doubling down his plans to implement a form of national service if re-elected.
However, his most contentious policy came while discussing the current Rwanda immigration deal in which both illegal immigrants and legitimate asylum seekers are deported to the African nation to await processing, a subject which has been widely criticised by members from all parties.
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Rishi Sunak floated a number of potential ideas during the debate including hinting that he may withdraw from the European Convention of Human RightsDuring the discussion, Sunak hinted that under a Tory government he may withdraw the UK from the European Convention of Human Rights altogether in order to continue with the policy, a move which was so ill-received in the audience that it prompted cries of “shame” among attendees in York.
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After a member of the public called the Prime Minister out for his plans, Rishi quickly shot back: “Sir, with the greatest respect, we do not need a foreign court to tell us how to police our own borders and our security, right?”
He added: “And I believe everything we’re doing is in compliance with our international obligations but if I’m put in a position where I’m forced to choose between those things, I’m going to put our country’s national security first every single time. And I make absolutely no apology about that.”
Several members of the studio audience then shouted: “Shame, shame, shame on you.”
Following the bombshell, Rishi was met with cries of 'shame' from the audienceAnd it appears the policy also struck a nerve with viewers at home, with many taking to social media to condemn Sunak for his ‘tone-deaf’ approach while also voicing their horror at the idea of the UK stepping back from the ECHR which is designed to protect human rights for all.
“Rishi Sunak calling the European Convention of HUMAN RIGHTS a 'foreign court' made me feel sick to my stomach. This isn’t a matter of 'sovereignty' and British nationalism; this is a matter of human rights and cross-governmental protections in place FOR the British people,” wrote one voter.
Rishi Sunak was heckled by audience members following hints he may back out of the European Convention of Human Rights to support his Rwanda dealA second voter weighed in writing: " #bbqt loved when the audience booed rishi on several occasions. Love that for him and his party. Audience knows how to safeguard human rights. Audience wants a well funded NHS that doesn't benefit private companies, wants to pay tax in exchange for public services…”
A third then added: “They are wrong saying only two other countries in the world, but either way we absolutely need the ECHR and Rishi Sunak is an embarrassment. Also the court will only 'tell us what to do' when someone's human rights have been violated. Why does he fear that?”