King’s Speech

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon Excerpts

Thursday 21st May 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Royall of Blaisdon (Lab)]

My Lords, it is an honour to speak in this debate on the gracious Speech and to follow the noble Lord. I must congratulate him on his collection of sanctions.

We live in a fragile world in which democracies and rights are being threatened. Currently, there are 116 million displaced people in the world. That number will grow as a consequence of crises and climate change. It is a difficult, dangerous world in which the NATO summit in Ankara will be crucial. It comes at a time when America’s commitment is uncertain and their troops on our continent are decreasing. The other key conference is on the EU reset. I associate myself wholeheartedly with everything that my noble friend Lady Ashton of Upholland said on that.

Bilateral relationships are of the utmost importance. I am delighted to serve as co-chair of the British-Spanish Tertulias, which was established in the 1980s when Spain joined the European Union. This strengthens ties between our countries, bringing together people from the worlds of politics, business, academia and civil society. We share many challenges with Spain and often we find common solutions. Both our political systems are increasingly afflicted by populism.

There are also notable policy differences—for example, on immigration, on which there is a pressing need in this country for more coherent, joined-up thinking across government departments. I struggle to believe that the FCDO was fully aligned with the Home Office’s recent decision to ban visas for students from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan, including those awarded Chevening scholarships. Will my noble friend the Minister say how this visa brake, which denies opportunity to individuals amid humanitarian crises, is consistent with the Government’s stated commitment to support fragile and conflict-affected states, and particularly their focus on women and girls? Scholarships are not only transformative for brilliant students but are a powerful instrument of British soft power.

The FCDO has embarked upon a major restructuring programme. I fully recognise the need for decisions to be grounded in robust evidence, for greater use of technologies and for efficiency to deliver value for money, but I am concerned that huge cuts risk inflicting long-term damage on our diplomatic service, which commands global respect. In an increasingly complex and unstable world, the skills of diplomacy are more important than ever; they must not be eroded. I would be grateful for reassurance from my noble friend that diplomacy remains a core priority.

Some of the reductions stem from concerning cuts to development aid. I too recognise the need for a new approach, but the figures are stark. The reduction to 0.3% of GNI by next year in reality means that only 0.24% will be spent internationally. It is imperative to increase defence spending to safeguard our national security, but international development and security are intrinsically linked. Aid is an essential tool of security and prevention, helping to stabilise fragile regions and to address the root causes of conflict and irregular migration before they impact directly on the United Kingdom. I thank my noble friend for her work in this area, including her efforts to secure increased UK funding for OCHA.

I am proud of the Prime Minister’s global leadership on Ukraine, including the initiative to establish the coalition of the willing, which is vital for not only Ukraine but the security of our country and our continent. I commend his leadership on Iran in resisting calls for engagement advanced by the Opposition, President Trump and his henchman in this country, Nigel Farage. Until recently, it would have been unthinkable for the United Kingdom to diverge so markedly from the United States, which is now at best an unreliable partner and at worst increasingly hostile to the international order it once helped to uphold—an order which, in Mark Carney’s words, is not coming back.

The special relationship is perhaps no longer so special and our most important strategic relationship must increasingly be with the EU. NATO remains at the cornerstone of our defence, but I would be grateful for an update from the Minister on progress on negotiations for the United Kingdom to participate in the EU’s €90 billion loan facility for Ukraine. Like everybody else, I support an increase in defence expenditure. I am rather dismayed that the national conversation proposed in the strategic defence review, which is essential, has not yet been forthcoming. It is urgent and it is one of the few defence initiatives that can be delivered at little or no cost. I am sure we would all want to contribute.