Victory in Europe and Japan: 80th Anniversaries
Debate between Baroness Twycross and Lord Howell of Guildford
Baroness Twycross (Lab)
Discussions are taking place with the military around the country, with devolved Governments and with local government; close official engagement has taken place, and they are fully aware of our plans for VE Day and VJ Day. In Wales, a VE Day event will take place at the Senedd on 8 May, and the Scotland’s Salute concert at Usher Hall will take place on 6 May. There is one project that I am most enthusiastic about—it is important that it will be not just in London but in communities, and the Imperial War Museum North will play a central part. On 7 May, in the Imperial War Museum North, some letters submitted by the public will become part of a public performance coproduced by the National Theatre. So if noble Lords take one thing away from this it should be that, if they know people who have letters or remarkable stories that their families would want to share, they have a chance for their stories to be included if they share letters through the Government’s website before 14 April.
Lord Howell of Guildford (Con)
My Lords, I know that we may be a little uneasy about the current American leadership, but the American nation is quite a different thing. It played a vast part in the victory at the time, as, indeed, did the Russians. Would it not have been wise to have put that in this Statement? There is no mention of America at all. Is it not important to get the message over to the younger generation that when the great powers serve the rest of the nations, rather than pursuing their own internal interests, we make far greater progress, and will in the future?
Baroness Twycross (Lab)
We are clearly talking to all our allied partners in this respect. Although this perhaps was not mentioned explicitly in Stephanie Peacock’s Statement, I note that I specifically mention American forces. It would be remarkable if they were not also part of the commemorations—I make it clear that they are commemorations—and government departments are working to make sure that that happens.
European Union: Trade
Debate between Baroness Twycross and Lord Howell of Guildford
Baroness Twycross (Lab)
I genuinely think noble Lords would be very keen for me not to respond in song; they can all speculate on what type of song I would respond with. The question the noble Baroness raises around touring artists is a good one, and I look forward to talking about this in greater depth this afternoon.
Lord Howell of Guildford (Con)
My Lords, now that we have talked about the Second World War, it should remind us that the whole development of the EU, and the Common Market before it, was based on very close Franco-German co-operation and reconciliation. Now that that co-operation is not what it was, by any means, and that new forces are emerging in Europe, should we not work for new ideas and relations with our European neighbours? We certainly want good relations through the European Political Community organisation, where we have good status and standing, and where a number of completely new ideas, free of some of the old prejudices, are available and should be developed.
Baroness Twycross (Lab)
These two Questions I have been responding to today do have an element of similarity. I agree with the noble Lord that our relationships with Europe are related to trade but they also have to be related to security. We want to deepen co-operation within areas where the EU has unique capabilities, such as sanctions, countering disinformation, military mobilisation, and civilian crisis management and support—particularly to Ukraine. It is quite sobering to remember and recognise that, while we are talking about commemorating the Second World War, we do have war in Europe currently.
European Union
Debate between Baroness Twycross and Lord Howell of Guildford(5 months, 3 weeks ago)
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Baroness Twycross (Lab)
The UK has no plans for an EU-wide youth mobility scheme. There will be no return to freedom of movement, and that includes in relation to school trips. Although the UK recognises the deep importance of cultural and educational exchanges between the UK and other nations, any discussions and decisions relating to our policy on school trip travel have to be made with due regard to the proper functioning of our immigration system.
Lord Howell of Guildford (Con)
My Lords, what role will the European Political Community, which is quite new, play in this new togetherness and reset?
Baroness Twycross (Lab)
The European Political Community summit at Blenheim Palace on 18 July strengthened our relationships in Europe and included discussions on Ukraine and migration. At that summit we also secured support from 44 countries and the EU for tough new action against Russia’s shadow fleet of ships that evade oil sanctions, so actions are coming out of the EPC.