European Commission: UK Member

Debate between Baroness Warsi and Lord Cormack

Thursday 10th July 2014 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Warsi]

I take real issue with what the noble Lord has said. I try not to bring party politics to this Dispatch Box but it is important that, when the Prime Minister of this country takes a principled stance on an important matter—a matter on which his party agreed—we should stop the sniping and get behind him.

[Lord Cormack (Con)]

My Lords, would there not be much relief all round if Mr Clegg were asked to go to Brussels?

[Baroness Warsi]

Mr Clegg is an incredibly effective Deputy Prime Minister and a Cabinet colleague for whom I have great respect. If he were to take on that role, I know that he would be deeply missed at Cabinet.

Russia: Arms

Debate between Baroness Warsi and Lord Cormack

Wednesday 18th June 2014 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Warsi]

I can tell the noble Baroness that four members met their target and a further four have indicated that they intend to meet the target. However, of course, there are 28 members of NATO.

[Lord Cormack (Con)]

My Lords, is it not important that we try to have constructive and as friendly as possible relations with Russia if we are to have a stable Europe? Can we do a little to cool some of the recent rhetoric, which has been conducive to encouraging a Cold War atmosphere?

[Baroness Warsi]

I am all for encouraging a reduction in rhetoric. That is why I have always said at this Dispatch Box that we must make sure that the language we use is measured and that we always look for diplomatic means to resolve those matters.

Libya: Arms to the IRA

Debate between Baroness Warsi and Lord Cormack

Tuesday 25th March 2014 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Warsi]

The noble Baroness makes an important point. Libya is going through an incredibly difficult period and we need to be realistic about what is actually possible on the Libyan side. There is very little chance at the moment of securing a Libyan payment for compensation. The Libyan Government see themselves as victims of the Gaddafi era, and it is therefore important that we try to build a political space, which is what we are doing, to allow the Libyan Government to engage on these and other issues.

[Lord Cormack (Con)]

My Lords, do we not have to be careful that we do not visit the sins of the previous regime upon a very shaky one? Is it not fundamental to all our interests that there should be a stable and prosperous Libya?

[Baroness Warsi]

It is, and my noble friend makes an important point. It is when we have that stable and prosperous Libya that we can deal with the legacy issues, including the tragic killing of WPC Fletcher, the aftermath of the Lockerbie bombing and, indeed, the Gaddafi support for terrorism.

EU: UK Balance of Trade

Debate between Baroness Warsi and Lord Cormack

Wednesday 14th November 2012 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Warsi]

My Lords, they took the right decision.

[Lord Cormack]

Will my noble friend, who has given us a bravura performance, put it on record that the man who deserves most credit for keeping us out of the euro is John Major?

[Baroness Warsi]

My Lords, I agree with that comment as well.