Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash Fails to Vote on Landmark ECHR Withdrawal Motion..

Jonathan Brash, Labour MP for Hartlepool

His decision not to vote on the move to take the UK out of the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) is seen as yet another disconnection from his local voters in the midst of spiralling mass illegal immigration .

30th October 2025

Westminster saw a major political flashpoint this week, as almost 100 Conservative & Reform UK MPs backed a proposal to begin the process of withdrawing the United Kingdom from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) — with Hartlepool’s own Labour MP, Jonathan Brash, recorded no vote on the matter.

The motion was brought by Reform MP & Party Leader Nigel Farage..

The motion, brought forward under the 10-minute rule by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, called for permission to introduce a Bill that would pave the way for Britain to leave the ECHR. It sparked heated debate in the Commons, touching on borders, sovereignty, civil liberties, and the UK’s international standing.

Farage: "Britain Must Control Its Borders"

Speaking in support of the proposal this week, Mr Farage argued that Britain should not be bound by rulings made by judges in Strasbourg. He pointed to border control and immigration as areas where he believes international courts are restricting the will of the British public:

“When it comes to controlling our borders… for this to be under the remit of judges in Strasbourg, who are not even legally qualified in many cases, is wrong.”

Mr Farage also criticised UK courts for using the ECHR to reinterpret British common law.

Lib Dem Leader: “This Protects the Vulnerable”

Lib Dem Leader Ed Davey criticised Mr Farage's Move, claiming the ECHR protects UK Citizens fundamental rights.

Responding for the Liberal Democrats, Sir Ed Davey defended the ECHR as a safeguard for fundamental rights:

“It protects our elderly, our vulnerable, our children… and upholds our freedom of speech and peaceful protest. Britain led the world on human rights — this is who we are.”

The Vote — And Who Didn’t Show

In the end, 96 MPs backed the attempt to bring the Bill forward, whilst 154, mainly consisting of Labour & The Green Party voting against. Though 10-minute rule motions rarely become law without government support, the vote has been widely seen as a symbolic test of political will — especially as the debate around immigration and border control continues to dominate UK politics.

Critically for Hartlepool, Jonathan Brash MP did not record a vote.

At a time when national conversations around sovereignty, borders, and rights are intensifying — and when Hartlepool has historically supported strong border-control policies — many local residents are likely to question why their representative chose not to take a position on this hugely significant issue.

Hartlepool’s Political Moment

Hartlepool's been a strong supporter of stronger border controls as well as for the UK to withdraw from the ECHR, especially over issues such as illegal immigration

Hartlepool voters have previously been vocal on immigration and national sovereignty — from Brexit to recent by-elections. With the Reform Party said to be steadily growing its presence in the town, despite claims of internal struggles...

For some, Brash’s failure to vote could be seen as political caution. For others, it may raise concerns about whether Hartlepool’s voice is really being heard in Parliament at all.

Crucially, the question now falls to the MP:

Why did he not vote — and where does he stand on the ECHR question?