Tackling Antisemitism: National Security Adviser

Debate between Baroness Twycross and Lord Grocott

Tuesday 20th October 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

There is no place for antisemitism in this country, and this Government will do everything we can to tackle it. I would add to what I said previously only by saying that British Jews should not be held to account for actions by the Israeli Government. We will do whatever we can, and I know that Jonathan Powell will do whatever he can, to tackle antisemitism in this country.

[Lord Grocott (Lab)]

My Lords, in agreeing strongly with my noble friend’s response to this Question on antisemitism, for the record can I get it clear, because there is a lot of loose language around this, that to support strongly the establishment of a Palestinian state is not antisemitic, to criticise the current Government in Israel is not antisemitic and to condemn as loathsome the views of one or two members of the current Israeli Government towards Palestinians is not antisemitic either?

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

That is also true, and I agree with my noble friend on that point.

Touring: Impact of EU Exit

Debate between Baroness Twycross and Lord Grocott

Tuesday 1st September 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

The report does indeed provide evidence of an issue many noble Lords have raised with me, and the sector has raised with the Government: the impact of the post-Brexit restrictions on artists. The report provides new evidence of the impact on UK artists and on the EU itself—significant amounts of income are lost as a result. We will ensure that its findings inform our engagement with European partners as we continue to pursue practical improvements for touring artists. As the noble Earl will understand, the agenda for the UK-EU summit has not yet been finalised and it would not be appropriate to pre-empt discussions between the UK and the EU on its contents.

[Lord Grocott (Lab)]

Has my noble friend had time to reflect on the merits and demerits of EU membership, and the decision in particular of the people of Iceland over the weekend? Does she agree that a particular significance of that, which might be of relevance to this country, is that it was a decision made by the people of Iceland by over 80% of the electorate voting? There were also marked differences between the views of people in the capital and the views of people in the wider countryside.

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

The referendum in Iceland is a matter for the people of Iceland and Iceland’s Government; it is not necessarily appropriate or useful to comment on other countries’ decisions in this regard. As my noble friend will be aware, this Government do not intend to rejoin the single market or the customs union, and that policy stands.

European Union

Debate between Baroness Twycross and Lord Grocott

Monday 7th October 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

Absolutely. I have a long list—which would deviate from the diktat from my noble friend the Chief Whip—that outlines a number of conversations that have happened. Migration is a shared challenge. We desperately want to strengthen our relationships with European partners to smash the gangs, and that includes strengthening our relations with the EU and its agencies. In recent weeks the Prime Minister and other Ministers have engaged with key European Heads of State and Ministers on this issue, discussing how we can work together to smash the gangs and tackle irregular migration through a whole-of-route approach.

[Lord Grocott (Lab)]

Although of course we want the warmest possible relationship with the European Union, can my noble friend take this opportunity to reiterate what the Prime Minister has frequently said in recent months, which is that there will be no question whatever of us rejoining either the customs union or the single market?

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

The Prime Minister has been unambiguous on that point, and that is not up for debate.