Contributions
2,386 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDConstitution InquiryMy Lords, I will not anticipate the answer that may or may not come to that question. Given the broad nature of the constitution, we are taking forward the work via a range of…14 Jun 2021HANSARDConstitution InquiryMy Lords, I certainly agree that striving for commonalities is wise advice to us all.14 Jun 2021HANSARDConstitution InquiryMy Lords, the Government will continue to apply the law of the land until the law of the land is changed.14 Jun 2021HANSARDConstitution InquiryNo, my Lords, I do not agree. We currently have a constitutional settlement in which there are reserved and devolved matters. I think we all believe that devolution has benefited…14 Jun 2021HANSARDConstitution InquiryMy Lords, many bodies make an input into this debate—I would single out the great work of your Lordships’ Constitution Committee, among others—but I repeat that the Government…14 Jun 2021HANSARDConstitution InquiryMy Lords, within that question there are absolutes and particulars. Having had the honour to be elected by my fellow citizens many times in elections, my own view is that…14 Jun 2021HANSARDConstitution InquiryMy Lords, the UK Government believe strongly in upholding the constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom is the most successful political and economic…14 Jun 2021HANSARDConstitution InquiryMy Lords, all those kinds of discussions certainly benefit from the widest range of opinions. The noble Lord, Lord Foulkes, did raise the issue of a federal approach, and I…14 Jun 2021HANSARDConstitution InquiryI agree with my noble friend. The Government have ensured that citizens and businesses across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland benefit from a £350 billion package of UK-wide…14 Jun 2021HANSARDConstitution InquiryI am not sure whether the noble Lord has finished; I hope he has. I made some comments on the federal approach. My view, and the Government’s view, is that we should bend every…14 Jun 2021HANSARDConstitution InquiryMy Lords, I agree with my noble friend that there is an element of taking stock as well as of seeking change. The glory of our constitution is that it is flexible and has evolved,…14 Jun 2021HANSARDConstitution InquiryMy Lords, I try to avoid sand, whether putting my head in it or not. I do not think this Government are complacent. I think there are difficulties with the kind of federal…14 Jun 2021HANSARDUK Policy Implementation for Wales and ScotlandMy Lords, the Prime Minister spoke to the First Ministers of Scotland and Wales, as well as the First Minister and Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, last week. In those…19 May 2021HANSARDUK Policy Implementation for Wales and ScotlandMy Lords, I am grateful for the noble Lord’s welcome of the Prime Minister’s initiative. On intergovernmental relations, I laid a Statement before the House—I think on 21 March—on…19 May 2021HANSARDUK Policy Implementation for Wales and ScotlandI absolutely agree with my noble friend. That is the commitment of the Prime Minister, and I have every hope that it will be the commitment of the other First Ministers and…19 May 2021HANSARDUK Policy Implementation for Wales and ScotlandMy Lords, let us begin where we begin—with the forthcoming summit. I am grateful to the noble Lord for welcoming the Prime Minister’s initiative. I agree with what the noble Lord…19 May 2021HANSARDUK Policy Implementation for Wales and ScotlandMy Lords, with all respect, I regret to say that the minutes of Conwy County Borough Council are not on my reading list, but obviously I will add them to it instantly. The…19 May 2021HANSARDUK Policy Implementation for Wales and ScotlandOf course I thoroughly endorse what the noble Baroness says about the importance of the United Kingdom. It was a pleasure to see our two parties stand shoulder to shoulder on that…19 May 2021HANSARDUK Policy Implementation for Wales and ScotlandMy Lords, the noble Baroness went into a number of detailed issues. Given that the Green Party has, very sadly, endorsed the break-up of our United Kingdom, it comes oddly from…19 May 2021HANSARDUK Policy Implementation for Wales and ScotlandMy Lords, I am sure that the Government always pay attention to the wise words of the noble Lord. I ascribe to him and the noble Lord, Lord McConnell, personally the success of…19 May 2021