It is sometimes claimed that Mark Darcy in the Bridget Jones’ Diary series is based on Keir Starmer. One is an upright, priggish human rights lawyer: the other is a character played by Colin Firth. The book and then the film were set in the 1990s, when ‘Cool Britannia’ was at its peak and New Labour orthodoxies the fashion of the day. So is it too portentous an omen to note that in the latest instalment of the film – released next month – Mark Darcy’s character is sadly no longer with us?
After all, Tories jibe, Sir Keir’s onetime uber-trendy views on rights look increasingly out-of-date in a world of Trump, Xi and great power politics. In office, Starmer himself seems to have few qualms in sending a succession of ministers out to Beijing. Yet Mr S can reveal that the Labour leader’s views were not always so cynical. For in 1998, the future Prime Minister co-authored a pamphlet for Amnesty International which contains some striking views on British foreign policy.
It enthusiastically endorsed the incorporation of the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) into UK law. Starmer and Conor Foley declared that ‘maintaining strategic interests’ can be ensured by a ‘commitment to a strong human rights policy’ which gives ‘moral authority to a government in its dealings with the international community.’ They argued that states should ‘ensure the supremacy of fundamental human rights over political expediency’ with human rights ‘a high priority on the agenda of all international meetings and in all contacts between governments’ including ‘strategic, political, cultural, commercial or developmental matters.’
As part of the co-authors’ demands, they wanted the UK to ratify ‘all human rights conventions and associated protocols promptly’, ensure ‘that domestic legislation is in line with the UK’s obligations in the conventions’ and promote ‘awareness of human rights amongst civil society.’ Starmer and Foley argued that these human rights objectives be ‘reflected in the policy and practice of all departments, particularly those most involved in external affairs’. Tell that to the Chagossians…
Of particular note, given Ben Wallace’s warnings that the ECHR is inhibiting the Special Forces, is Starmer’s insistence that the UK ‘ensure its own military personnel are fully trained in international humanitarian law and human rights and conduct themselves according to these standards.’ The pamphlet ends with the authors’ eight demands. They include ‘active and high-level political support’ for an international criminal court’ and a recognition of ‘the connection between human rights policy internationally and the need for consistent humanitarian asylum policy at home.’
Now, lucky Sir Keir gets a chance to put such high-minded principles into practice. Let’s hope he has a better fate with it than his fellow human rights barrister Mr Darcy…
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