All 1 Debates between Sally-Ann Hart and John Howell

Council of Europe

Debate between Sally-Ann Hart and John Howell
Thursday 8th June 2023

(1 year, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Sally-Ann Hart Portrait Sally-Ann Hart (Hastings and Rye) (Con)
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Does my hon. Friend agree that although we have left the confines of the EU, we did not leave Europe? We remain a European country, and the Council of Europe gives the United Kingdom the opportunity to maintain our relationship with not only EU member states, but the whole of Europe, and to lead discussions and decision making on common issues regarding democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

John Howell Portrait John Howell
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I thoroughly agree with that, and as my hon. Friend knows I support that in everything I do in the Council of Europe. I try to interest the Lobby journalists here in the Council of Europe, but I probably fail for the very reason that they see “Europe” in the title. I make a plea to any listening now: the Council of Europe is not part of the EU. It looks after human rights, the rule of law and democracy across the wider Europe, and it should be paid attention to.