European Commission: Portfolios

Debate between Lord Clinton-Davis and Baroness Warsi

Wednesday 2nd July 2014 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Warsi]

I understand the point that the noble Lord is trying to make. However, we all have to accept that the Prime Minister stood up for UK interests and was responsive to what we all heard—or should have heard—at the recent European elections, which is that the people of the European Union, across the European Union, want change.

[Lord Clinton-Davis (Lab)]

Would it not be appropriate for the Prime Minister to be rather less abrasive and rather more constructive as regards the EU institutions? Insults get us nowhere at all, particularly when significant jobs are being sought for incumbent or future Commissioners. Is that not the most important issue facing the Government at the moment?

[Baroness Warsi]

The Prime Minister has a good record of delivering for the United Kingdom, whether on the Budget, on Ukraine or on red tape. We can be confident that he is the right Prime Minister, delivering for Britain at the right time.

EU: United Kingdom

Debate between Lord Clinton-Davis and Baroness Warsi

Monday 26th November 2012 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Warsi]

My Lords, I know that there is a wide variety of opinions in this House, including on my Back Benches. All opinions in the House are valid in their own right. In relation to the budget negotiations, the Prime Minister will soon make a Statement about last week’s meeting. The Leader of the House of Lords will repeat the Statement later today, so it would be inappropriate for me to deal with that. On our relationship with Germany, I agree with my noble friend; we have a strong relationship. Germany is the UK’s second largest export market worldwide. The UK is Germany’s sixth largest trade partner. Great Britain is the first investment destination for German companies. Almost one in six of all foreign companies in Germany are British. There is a strong relationship that continues to grow.

[Lord Clinton-Davis]

Does the Government’s strategy of aligning Britain with the far right members of the EU alienate or befriend Germany?

[Baroness Warsi]

I am afraid I did not catch the question completely.

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord Clinton-Davis]

What I asked is whether the Government’s strategy of aligning Britain with the far right members of the EU alienates or befriends Germany.

[Baroness Warsi]

I thank the noble Lord for the question but I disagree with the statement he makes; the Government are not aligning themselves with the far right in Europe.