Lord Mandelson Humble Address: Government Response
Debate between Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town and Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent(1 month, 4 weeks ago)
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Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)
I wish the noble Lord had listened to the answer I gave to my noble friend because, if he had, he would not have needed to read his question. With regard to the issues that the noble Lord raised, I do not think he will find that I have attacked the previous Government from this Dispatch Box, although there is plenty to attack them for.
On candour, as I just stated to my noble friend, the use of WhatsApp messages and deleting messages is explicitly allowed for within the guidance that is issued within government. On the use of candour, I think everyone benefits from a little light.
Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Lab)
My Lords, it is interesting that my noble friend does not talk about the previous Government, but they were the Government who tried to prorogue Parliament and found that they should not have done it. I find it difficult to take lessons from them.
My noble friend and other Ministers have acknowledged many times that there were serious shortcomings in the due diligence and vetting process, and they have already made some changes—for example, to ensure that vetting takes place before an announcement. I welcome that. My noble friend alluded to various changes under way, but I wonder whether she could let us know what other workstreams will make sure that we improve the whole situation with vetting and approvals.
Royal Albert Hall Bill [HL]
Debate between Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town and Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent
Baroness in Waiting/Government Whip (Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent) (Lab)
My Lords, I remind all Members of your Lordships’ House that we are to be comradely— although that is probably not the appropriate language. The use of language and how we refer to each other is very important, especially when it comes to being accurate.
Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Lab)
My Lords, I was not going to speak because the noble and learned Baroness, Lady Hale, did much better than I could in explaining what we did on the committee. But I have to note that on the night before we met, having prepared for this for some weeks beforehand, the Royal Albert Hall tried to get me to recuse myself on the allegation of something that had happened 10 years ago: that somebody had praised me on a website. The night before, the hall thought I should stand down from the committee. That is how the Albert Hall dealt with us as a committee. We did not hear from the people whom we then decided did not have locus standi. Therefore, I hope the noble Lord will withdraw what he just said about our committee.
Wales
Debate between Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town and Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent
Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)
The noble Baroness has a future Question on this issue and I look forward to discussing it again. We recognise that a nuclear future at Wylfa could help to deliver several of our strategic objectives, achieving net zero and energy independence and restoring economic prosperity across the region. Nuclear developments in north Wales will provide high-quality jobs across the region and drive economic growth. Great British Nuclear completed the purchase of the site in June 2024 and we hope to make further announcements on its future soon.
Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Lab)
My Lords, my noble friend will not remember this, but during the Brexit discussions the last Government kept forgetting again and again about the devolved nations and their role in our relationship with Europe. Can she assure me—I am sure she will, and I am looking at her very hard for an answer—that the new Council of the Nations and Regions will reset their agreements, so that in every part of government policy they will be fully involved and discussed?
Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)
The Council of the Nations and Regions, as a manifesto commitment, is central to our engagement and resetting of relations across the United Kingdom. I am delighted that the Prime Minister, within hours of his appointment, reached out and spoke to the First Minister of Wales, visited within three days and has visited Wales three times. The Council of the Nations and Regions is at the heart of our engagement with our regions going forward.