Bilateral relations between UK and Europe debated in the Lords

Debate

Baroness Smith of Newnham (Liberal Democrats), professor of European politics at the University of Cambridge, put forward the debate.

This was a general debate. During debates, members put their experience to good use to discuss current issues and draw the government's attention to concerns. 

Members speaking

Contributing members included:

• Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury (Liberal Democrats), Lords Liberal Democrat spokesperson for culture, media and sport
• Lord Hannay of Chiswick (Crossbench), former Permanent Representative to EU
• Baroness Helic (Conservative), former Senior Special Adviser to the Foreign Secretary
• Lord Wallace of Saltaire (Liberal Democrats), professor of international relations, London School of Economics.

Opening the debate, Baroness Smith of Newnham said:

'One of the key aspects of closer co-operation must surely be understanding among people, particularly the younger generations. Will the government think again about youth mobility, as the leader of the Liberal Democrats asked the Prime Minister yesterday in the other place?'

Baroness Goldie (Conservative) said:

'We should seek strong bilateral relationships with individual European states—we have many of these already—and we should seek an engaged but vigilant approach to the EU.'

Lord Coaker (Labour), Minister of State for diplomacy and international relations at the Ministry of Defence, responded on behalf of the government:

'We will work to reset the relationship with our European friends, to strengthen ties, to secure a broad-based security pact and to tackle barriers to trade. We will build stronger and wider co-operation in a whole range of areas.'

Catch up

Watch the Parliament TV recording or read the Lords Hansard transcript.

Explore background information

Find out more about the issues the debate covers in the House of Lords Library briefing.

Learn more about how the House of Lords checks and challenges government.

Image: Adobe Stock