Nigel Farage calls for referendum on the ECHR in maiden House of Commons speech

Nigel Farage called for a referendum on leaving the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in his maiden House of Commons speech on Tuesday.

The Reform UK leader said quitting the ECHR was the only way the UK would be able to end “small boat” Channel crossings.

The MP for Clacton said: “We will only stop this if we start deporting people that come illegally. Then they won’t pay the smugglers. But we will only do that by leaving the ECHR.

“But I have got a fun suggestion that I think would liven up politics, engage the public and see a massively increased turnout. Why don’t we have a referendum on whether we continue to be members of the ECHR?”

Politics.co.uk is the UK’s leading digital-only political website. Subscribe to our daily newsletter for all the latest election news and analysis.