Human Rights in the UK During the Conservative Era, 2010-2024

This volume critically examines human rights in the United Kingdom under successive Conservative-led governments from 2010 to 2024. This was a time of upheaval in both the domestic and global order. While there were moments of celebration for human rights, it was generally a period marked by contrast and increasing concern. From criticism of judges and Europe to international human rights frameworks and the institutions created to enforce them, Conservative policies were often framed by a populist tone. The 2024 General Election marks a pivotal juncture to evaluate the legislation, rhetoric, and governance that defined these fourteen years. The book first assesses key human rights pressure points, including the deployment of austerity as a response to the global financial crisis, expanding populism, Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic and the UK’s relationship with international courts. Subsequent chapters evaluate the differential impacts on specific groups and rights, including consideration of the position of women, asylum seekers, protestors and those harmed by British forces in military operations. The collection then considers the impact of developments on the wider UK constitutional architecture. It interrogates human rights in the relationship between the executive and both the judiciary and the devolved administrations, before reflecting on the attempted repeal and replacement of the Human Rights Act 1998. The volume concludes with a prospective reflection on the politics of human rights and the critical lessons this period yields for future governance. Bringing together a diverse group of scholars, the contributions to this collection cut to the core of contemporary tensions between democracy and human rights, the individual and the state, and the UK's domestic authority and international obligations.