The conversation about whether Britain should stay in or leave international treaties like the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) has sparked a fresh political firestorm.
At the center of this is Lord Hermer, Keir Starmer’s top legal adviser, who found himself under intense criticism after making a controversial comparison involving some Brexit supporters.
Lord Hermer Takes a Strong Stand Against Leaving International Law
Speaking at the Royal United Services Institute, a well-known defence and security think-tank, Lord Hermer didn’t hold back.
He slammed MPs and media voices pushing for Britain to ditch international agreements like the ECHR, calling it a dangerous “siren song” that risks the country abandoning the rule of law in favor of brute force.
He pointed out that the current Labour Government follows what he calls a policy of “progressive realism,” meaning it’s committed to staying part of international legal frameworks.
Lord Hermer warned this isn’t just a political choice but a moral one, pointing to a dark chapter in history when similar rhetoric was used to justify terrible actions.
Historical Warnings from the 1930s Echo in Today’s Debate
To make his point, Lord Hermer invoked the example of Carl Schmitt, a Nazi legal theorist who argued that state power should trump legal constraints—a mindset that paved the way for some of the most horrific events in history, like the Night of the Long Knives.
He cautioned that rejecting international law isn’t a new idea, and the world’s response after World War II was to strengthen those legal systems, not abandon them.
Still, Lord Hermer admitted that international law isn’t perfect and must evolve.
“We must be ready to reform where necessary,” he said, acknowledging the need to critique and improve existing rules.
Critics Push Back Hard Against the Attorney General’s Comments
But not everyone agrees with Lord Hermer’s take.
Tory justice spokesman Robert Jenrick, who supports leaving the ECHR after decades of membership, called the idea of reforming the convention “fanciful.”
He pointed out that any changes would require agreement from all 46 member countries—something very unlikely to happen.
Jenrick also condemned Lord Hermer for comparing those who want to leave the ECHR to Nazis, calling it an “appalling insinuation” and accusing Labour of resorting to smears that simply don’t work. “Labour haven’t learned a thing,” he said.
Questions Raised Over Lord Hermer’s Past and Role
Adding fuel to the fire, critics have raised concerns about Lord Hermer’s suitability for his current role, noting his past as a human rights lawyer who defended controversial figures.
Before becoming Attorney General last year, he represented clients including 9/11 plotter Mustafa al-Hawsawi, jihadi bride Shamima Begum, and former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, a figure tied to long-standing political conflicts.
This background has sparked debate over whether his views are aligned with government priorities, especially given his close ties to Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The Government Holds Back on Comment as Debate Intensifies
The Attorney General’s office has so far declined to comment on the controversy, but the debate shows no signs of cooling down.
With Brexit still casting a long shadow over Britain’s relationship with international law, how the Government navigates this issue could have major consequences for the country’s legal and political future.