UK: Union

Lord Soley Excerpts

Thursday 3rd November 2011 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Lord Soley]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have any proposals to inform the public about the advantages of maintaining the union of the United Kingdom.

[The Advocate-General for Scotland (Lord Wallace of Tankerness)]

My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Soley, said at Second Reading of the Scotland Bill that the United Kingdom,

“is one of the most effective political and economic unions that the world has ever seen”.—[Official Report, 6/9/11; col. 234.]

The Government wholeheartedly agree, and my ministerial colleagues and I will do all that we can to make the case for the United Kingdom. I also urge those who support this unique partnership to join the debate and promote its benefits.

[Lord Soley]

I am very grateful for that Answer. Does the noble and learned Lord agree that this message needs to go out not just in Scotland but in England too? There is a very real danger to our nationalism and we need to get out the message that many states around the world envy our stable system, which has brought peace and prosperity to the United Kingdom and is a model for other countries. Does he also agree that this issue is not for any one party or any one part of the United Kingdom?

[Lord Wallace of Tankerness]

My Lords, I certainly agree that this is not for any one party or any one part of the United Kingdom. Judging by the response to my Answer and to the noble Lord’s Question, we all share a common interest in spelling out the merits for the union, which is of 304 years’ duration. I think the question the separatists have to answer is: why separate?