Larkfield's Wealden Hall on a hot Summer's evening with Policy Forum expert Victoria Atkins was the venue for one of the most enlightening policy discussions of the year.
Members of the Chatham & Aylesford Policy Forum were joined by Tonbridge, Edenbridge & Malling to consider whether a new Bill of Rights was needed and, if so, what it should contain. Guided through the legal complexities by legal expert Victoria Atkins, initial scepticism was overcome by practical reality as it was seen how European Court Judges would operate differently if a UK Bill of Rights was in place. Going further, the Group agreed (with caveats) that a British Bill of Rights observing the original values of the European Convention - but which removed the Convention itself from direct application in the UK - was the way ahead.
But, for the debate to reach this conclusion, it covered concerns over the recruitment of European Judges, the abuses of the Convention at present, the growth of judicial activism and the vast backlog of (seemingly unprioritised) cases waiting to be dealt with. It examined the articles of the current European Convention and what a new British Bill of Rights should contain, the need for reciprocal responsibilities and the impact on British influence overseas.
It was a hot evening, but the debate chaired by Russ Taylor was excellent and the outcome was surprising. Wealden Hall 2013 maybe remembered for some days to come!