European Convention on Human Rights 17. The general significance of A3P1 was summarised by Lord Collins in a judgment with which all members of the Court agreed in R (Barclay) v Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice [2009] UKSC 9, [2010] 1 AC 464, para 52. I need only to set out parts of his summary, omitting also some of the case references: “53. First, article 3 of the First Protocol enshrines a characteristic principle of an effective democracy. …. 54. Second, although article 3 is phrased in terms of the obligation of the contracting states to hold elections which ensure the free expression of the opinion of the people rather than in terms of individual rights, article 3 guarantees individual rights, including the right to vote and the right to stand for election …. 55. Third, there is room for ‘implied limitations’ on the rights enshrined in article 3, and contracting states must be given a wide margin of appreciation in this sphere: Mathieu-Mohin v Belgium (1987) 10 EHRR 1, para 52; Yumak v Turkey (2008) 48 EHRR 61, para 109(ii). 56. Fourth, the content of the obligation under article 3 varies in accordance with the historical and political factors specific to each state; ….. 57. Fifth, article 3 is not (by contrast with some other Convention rights, such as those enumerated in articles 8 to 11) subject to a specific list of legitimate limitations, and the contracting states are therefore free to rely in general in justifying a limitation on aims which are proved to be compatible with the principle of the rule of law and the general objectives of the Convention: Yumak, para 109 (iii); Tanase v Moldova (Application No 7/08) (unreported) given 18 November 2008, para 105. 58. Sixth, limitations on the exercise of the right to vote or stand for election must be imposed in pursuit of a legitimate aim, must not be arbitrary or disproportionate, and must not interfere with the free expression of the opinion of the people in the choice of the legislature: Yumak, para 109(iii) to (iv). Page 13