Britain and the ECHR – In conversation with Peter Lilley
9 July 2025, 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Location: Old Queen Street Café, 6 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP
Think tank: Centre for Policy Studies
This event hosted by UK think tank the Centre for Policy Studies will discuss ‘Britain and the ECHR: Past myths, present problems and future options’.
CPS Research Director Karl Williams interviews Lord Lilley about his latest paper from the Centre for Policy Studies, ‘Britain and the ECHR: Past myths, present problems and future options’.
Ranging across topics including Parliamentary sovereignty, common law jurisprudence and Britain’s international commitments, the report sets out how today’s arguments over Britain’s relationship with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) are nothing new – and in fact have been with us since the Convention’s inception. Lord Lilley will share his views on the limited possibility of meaningful reform and the realistic options for withdrawal.
Doors will open at 9am, with Karl and Lord Lilley discussing the paper followed by an audience Q&A. Tea, coffee, and breakfast pastries will be available on arrival.
Peter Lilley served in the Cabinets of Margaret Thatcher and John Major as Secretary of State for Trade and Industry then for Social Security. He was Shadow Chancellor then Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party, with responsibility for policy renewal, until 2000. He stood down as an MP in 2017 and was made a Peer in 2018. He is author of a number of publications including ‘Too much of a good thing? Towards a balanced approach to immigration’ (CPS) and ‘Taking Liberties’ (Adam Smith Institute).
