Lords debates challenges to rules-based international order
17 January 2025
On Thursday 16 January, members of the House of Lords debated the growing challenges to a rules-based international order, and their impact on global cohesion, stability and security.
Debate
Baroness Northover (Liberal Democrat), former member of council of the Overseas Development Institute, 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
Members speaking in the debate included:
- Lord Bruce of Bennachie (Liberal Democrats), former chair of the House of Commons International Development Committee
- Lord Callanan (Conservative), shadow minister for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
- Baroness D'Souza (Crossbench), director of human rights organisation, Article 19
- Lord Hannay of Chiswick (Crossbench), former permanent representative to the United Nations.
Opening the debate, Baroness Northover said:
'The growth of populism and nationalism globally, reflected in Trump’s election, seems to show that lies are believed just as easily, maybe more so, than the truth, and that politics is being driven to the extremes.'
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative), added:
'We see economic inequalities, global trade imbalances, and the rise of nationalism and populism, with the rejection of global norms and populist leaders in various countries rejecting the very international standards and treaties they are signed up to.'
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Labour), Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, responded on behalf of the government:
'The government are committed to multilateralism and to the mission of the United Nations.
'We are seeking re-election to the Human Rights Council and to return a UK judge to the International Court of Justice. This government will not withdraw the UK from the European Convention on Human Rights and this government support the effective and independent International Criminal Court.'
Get involved
Watch and read the debate
Catch up on Parliament TV 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: Mathias Reding / Unsplash
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