European Union

Lord Balfe Excerpts

Monday 7th October 2024 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Lord Balfe]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they plan to take to build a closer relationship with the European Union.

[Lord Balfe (Con)]

I beg—briefly—to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Baroness Twycross) (Lab)]

We have already begun working to reset the relationship with our European friends and neighbours. The Prime Minister met with President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels on 2 October, and they agreed to strengthen the UK-EU relationship and our mutually beneficial co-operation, and on the importance of holding regular UK-EU summits. This is not about renegotiating or relitigating Brexit but about looking forward and realising the potential of the UK-EU relationship.

[Lord Balfe (Con)]

I thank the Minister for her comments. We really do need to reset our relationship with the European Union. Things such as free movement, movement for young people and working with the European Investment Bank have to get to the top of our priority list. Can we put this nonsense of not liking Europe behind us and get down to business?

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

The previous Government said they would get Brexit done; they did not think about what would happen afterwards. This Government want to and will make Brexit work.