UK Citizens in Venezuela

Debate between Baroness Chapman of Darlington and Lord Spellar

Thursday 4th December 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

One of the many tragedies of this situation is that Venezuela ought to be a prosperous, stable country that is able to provide a good life for its citizens; that is not the case. Our concerns are around civil liberties, democracy, the rule of law, the safety and protection of civilians and their rights and the fact that their wishes have not been reflected in their democratic choices. The noble Baroness is right that Venezuela ought to be doing far better than it has been able to do. Whether or not the oil comes out of the ground, it is a wonderful, spectacular country, and it is just tragic to see what has happened to it in recent years.

[Lord Spellar (Lab)]

My Lords, is not the fundamental, underlying problem that the prosperity of Venezuela has been destroyed by the corrupt dictatorship, which is being propped up by other dictatorships in Russia, China and Cuba? What help are our Foreign Office and other Governments giving to the legitimate opposition in Venezuela, which should be the Government were it not for the corrupt elections?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

I have huge admiration for María Corina Machado. I have spoken to her. She did not run for president, but she is clearly a voice for those in Venezuela who feel that their democratic wishes have not been reflected in the make-up of their Government. We continue to have conversations with groups in Venezuela and, in a limited way, with the regime in Venezuela. We want to see a negotiated transition and the wishes of all the people of Venezuela who participated in that election to be reflected in a democratic outcome.

Embassy of China: Proposed New Site

Debate between Baroness Chapman of Darlington and Lord Spellar

Wednesday 29th January 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Spellar (Lab)]

My Lords, is it not a fact that diplomatic relations are about the conduct of our international relations with countries and do not imply approval or disapproval one way or the other? Right around the world, big countries have big embassies. China is a big country. That is just a fact.

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

I have so many jokes about size in my head at the moment— I am not going to go there. I note what my noble friend says. I do not think it is any surprise that China would want to have a substantial presence in London.

Ukraine

Debate between Baroness Chapman of Darlington and Lord Spellar

Thursday 5th December 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

The most reverend Primate is correct. We do not want Ukraine to wait for the SDR, which is why we have already committed substantial sums: £3 billion per year for as long as Ukraine needs it, plus £5 billion in non-military support. As he says, this conflict is felt most keenly in Ukraine, but the uncertainty, anxiety and decisions now being made in other states as a consequence of what has happened in Ukraine need to be considered very carefully too.

[Lord Spellar (Lab)]

My Lords—

West Papua

Debate between Baroness Chapman of Darlington and Lord Spellar

Wednesday 13th November 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

I think the international community is aware of the situation in Papua, hence the interest from the United Nations. We will continue to work through that method, and bilaterally, to raise the issues that we are all so concerned about.

[Lord Spellar (Lab)]

My Lord, I congratulate the Minister on the very measured approach that she is taking. Can she reassure us that the Foreign Office recognises the crucial importance of Indonesia, which is the fourth most populous nation in the world, the most populous Muslim nation, and a crucial part of the economic and security infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific? While we make those representations, can we also advance our relationship?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

Whenever possible, influence should be gained through a good relationship and, sometimes, by being a critical friend. The noble Lord’s points about the wider Indo-Pacific and the security situation are things that a responsible Government here in the UK need to take into account.