The survey also found that support for staying in the ECHR crosses political divides. While backing for withdrawal is strongest among those currently intending to vote for Reform UK (72%), this falls to 44% among current Conservative voters. Meanwhile, 82% of Labour supporters, 76% of Liberal Democrats and 85% of Green Party voters say they want to stay in the Convention.

When asked whether pledges to leave the ECHR make them feel more positively about the Conservative Party, the picture was mixed. Among Reform UK supporters, 36% said they viewed the Conservatives more positively, but a similar number (39%) said it made no difference. Among current Conservative voters, 32% said such a pledge would make them feel more favourable about their party, while 12% said it would make them feel more negative.

People were also asked what they thought the impact of leaving the ECHR would be. The most common answers were greater UK control over its laws (41%) and more deportations of migrants (39%)

However, many participants felt that withdrawal wouldn’t make a significant difference to several key issues. At the same time, many saw potential risks:

• 48% believe leaving would damage the UK’s international reputation
• 39% think it would weaken security cooperation with Europe
• 33% think it would negatively affect the everyday rights of British citizens

“It’s heartening to see that many people recognise human rights as part of everyday life, not just something distant or abstract, this is something we in our work across the country with communities and public bodies every day - supporting people to turn rights from principles on paper into real change in their lives.” Sanchita Hosali, BIHR’s CEO

Perhaps the most significant finding is the widespread lack of knowledge about the ECHR. Almost half of respondents (49%) say they don’t know very much about it, while 15% say they know nothing at all.

When asked to identify which rights are protected by the ECHR, the only majority-correct answers were the right not to be tortured (59%) and the right to a fair trial (56%).

Only 38% correctly identified that freedom of speech is covered by the Convention. Meanwhile, just 24% knew the ECHR is not an EU institution, and only 15% were aware that the European Court of Human Rights cannot overrule or annul national laws.

“These findings highlight why we don’t make assumptions about what people know; lack of knowledge doesn’t mean hostility. The fact that many people support the ECHR even without deep knowledge shows just how strong our shared values are, this is a brilliant opportunity to bridge that knowledge gap with clear, accessible information - not to persuade people, but to empower them.” Sanchita Hosali, BIHR’s CEO.

The YouGov data shows a clear gap between the political debate and public understanding. While some political narratives focus on leaving the ECHR, most of the public are either supportive of remaining or uncertain, rather than strongly opposed. And where knowledge is low, there is room to build understanding and confidence in human rights protections.

At BIHR, we see this as a reminder of why accessible information and communication about human rights is so important. People don’t need to be legal experts to care about their rights - but they do need trustworthy, clear information to make up their own minds, and to be able to advocate for themselves.

1. Check out our All About the ECHR resource, also available in Easy Read
2. Take a look at our videos on 3 key cases for the UK where there ECHR and Court has made a real difference to survivors of domestic violence, the families of disabled children, and press freedom: scroll to the page end here.
3. Watch and share our 60 second video on What the European Court of Human Rights has helped to change in countries across the continent
4. Get Informed and Learn About Your Human Rights