UK-US Discussions: Reducing International Tension
Debate between Lord Campbell-Savours and Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent(2 days, 19 hours ago)
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Lord Campbell-Savours
To ask His Majesty’s Government what discussions they plan to hold with the government of the United States of America regarding reducing international tension.
Captain of the King’s Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard and Deputy Chief Whip (Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent) (Lab)
My Lords, the United Kingdom and the United States share one of the closest alliances in the world. Our partnership is rooted in deep economic, defence, security and intelligence co-operation. The UK Government work closely with the United States Government to support de-escalation, encourage diplomatic solutions and address the causes of conflict and instability wherever they arise. We will continue to do so, to address shared international challenges and to promote peace, stability and prosperity.
The Lord Speaker (Lord Forsyth of Drumlean)
The noble Lord, Lord Campbell-Savours, is contributing remotely. I invite the noble Lord to speak.
Lord Campbell-Savours (Lab) [V]
My Lords, this being my 46th oral intervention since March 2014 questioning our strategy on Ukraine, have Ministers considered the compromise proposal that I put to the House on 15 September calling for the creation of protectorate or international protectorate status in eastern Ukraine, to include much of Donetsk and Luhansk, underpinned by guarantees from the major powers, to include the United States, Europe and Russia? This approach could avoid parties to the conflict having to back down in humiliation and, if accepted, could bring de-escalation and peace in Europe and help restore stability in the international economy. Can we take the lead in ending this conflict?
Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)
I am well aware of the noble Lord’s history and commitment in this area. I think I need to state yet again from this Dispatch Box that the British Government’s commitment to Ukraine is steadfast and will continue to be so, which is why we have given $7 billion in 2026 in support of its defence, and why it was so good to see President Zelensky here last week. The one point where the noble Lord is right is that ultimately this conflict will be ended by negotiation, but that will be a decision for President Zelensky to make.
Infected Blood Inquiry: Government Response
Debate between Lord Campbell-Savours and Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent
Lord Campbell-Savours (Lab) [V]
My Lords, with an infected blood compensation bill of £11 billion-plus and a further annual bill of £3 billion for misdiagnosis and incorrect medication, and then recognising the limitations on Commons inquiries due to Member availability, limited expertise and agenda pressures, does not this whole affair now demand an ad hoc inquiry into compensation arrangements administration in the Lords, drawing on our huge expertise in accountancy, healthcare and wider issues of compensation law? I am sure our people could find ways of speeding up the process and the scheme, saving a lot of public money that is currently unnecessarily feeding some areas of the legal and other professions. I suspect this will all end up in a VFM report before the Public Accounts Committee in years to come.
Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)
Noble Lords across your Lordships’ House have extraordinary expertise, and I will more than happily meet with any of them if they have recommendations for how we can more quickly expedite infected blood compensation payments. With regard to the £11.8 billion, though, that money has been ring-fenced in compensation payments for the victims of infected blood. We will do everything we can to make sure they get it. This is taxpayers’ money, so there is a balance here; we need to make sure that the people entitled to it get it, which is more straightforward for the infected; we will discuss in great detail what that means as we progress on to the affected, to make sure that safeguards are in place. But this money is for those people who have been directly affected, and we need to make sure that they are the ones with the money.
Democracy and Unelected Strong Leaders
Debate between Lord Campbell-Savours and Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent
Lord Campbell-Savours (Lab) [V]
My Lords, does this polling not flag up the unfortunate response of a public who, for whatever reason, believe that elected politicians in general duck big issues for fear of the electoral consequences? President Trump’s actions, like them or not, challenge that perception. Surely the public will respond positively to unpopular decisions by the elected if sacrifices apply equally across society and where they believe that all, including the political class, are not exempt. With fair play, equality and sacrifice, we the politicians can resolve this crisis in public confidence.
Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)
My Lords, there is a responsibility on us all to demonstrate the genuine value of democracy and to fight for change for our communities and people up and down the country. That is why this Government have a clear plan for change and are delivering on our mission-driven government.