Migration and Economic Development Partnership with Rwanda

Debate between Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town and Lord Lexden

Tuesday 20th December 2022 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Lab)]

The noble Lord asked about the record of Rwanda in protecting the rights of LGBT people.

[Lord Lexden (Con)]

I do not normally have any difficulty in making myself heard, and I did indeed put that second question.

EU: Future Relationship

Debate between Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town and Lord Lexden

Wednesday 23rd September 2020 Grand Committee

[Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Lab)]

My Lords, just as the Welsh Government felt offended because they were not consulted on the internal markets Bill, and because the powers that it gave to the Government took away from the devolution settlement, there is a similar feeling about these talks, because they have been neither fully involved nor consulted in the Government’s discussions with the EU. Do the Government not see that every time they upset the devolved Administrations, that challenges the very future of the union?

The economic disruption of leaving the transitional period without an agreement, or indeed with a deal which falls short of the Government’s promises, would worsen the hit already caused to the country by Covid-19. We have left the EU but it remains our closest neighbour and most important trading partner. We still share a continent in which security and judicial co-operation help to keep all our people safe. The Government’s approach to negotiations is weakening rather than strengthening our ties and mutual trust, and is therefore to be regretted.

[The Deputy Chairman of Committees (Lord Lexden) (Con)]

I call the next speaker, the noble Lord, Lord Wallace of Saltaire. Lord Wallace? We might have a chance to come back to him later. In the meantime, I call the noble Lord, Lord Kerr of Kinlochard. Lord Kerr? Oh, there are some technical difficulties. We will adjourn until they are sorted out.