Queen’s Speech
Debate between Lord Russell of Liverpool and Lord Boateng
Wednesday 19th May 2021
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
(3 years, 7 months ago)
Lords ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Lord Boateng (Lab) [V]
Indeed. I end on this note, with this challenge to the Minister. We are rightly thinking about the Middle East at this time. There was a great teacher by the name of Hillel in the Middle East, who lived at the time of our Lord. He said:
“If I am not for me, who will be for me?”
Yes, it is important to recognise our national self-interest, but he added:
“If I am only for me, what am I?”
We share a common humanity. He also asked: “If not now, when?” We need focus, we need resources and we need to act now.
The Deputy Speaker (Lord Russell of Liverpool) (CB)
I call next the very patient noble Baroness, Lady Neville-Rolfe.