Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland: Supreme Court Judgment Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateLord Hannan of Kingsclere
Main Page: Lord Hannan of Kingsclere (Conservative - Life peer)Department Debates - View all Lord Hannan of Kingsclere's debates with the Northern Ireland Office
(1 year, 6 months ago)
Lords ChamberAs I just pointed out in response to his noble friend, the noble Lord, Lord McCrea, this is an issue we are seeking to resolve in the negotiations. I cannot really go into any detail at the Dispatch Box.
My Lords, the Acts of Union were our country’s foundational charter. If the United Kingdom had a national day analogous to the independence days of other countries, it would commemorate 1 January 1801, when the Acts of Union took effect. How can any British Government, least of all a Conservative and Unionist British Government, tolerate legislation that is now held in the courts to be at odds with that foundational document?
I can assure my noble friend that, as a staunch unionist, I would have no issue whatever in commemorating or marking 1 January 1801 every year. I have already answered his question: issues around governance and the democratic deficit have to be resolved in our ongoing and intensive dialogue and negotiations with the EU.