Performing Artists and Musicians: Access to the EU

Lord Oates Excerpts

Wednesday 22nd July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I cannot write the agenda before a date is set, but this is a priority for the Government. In March, when Minister Murray co-chaired the first UK-European Commission high-level meeting on culture with Commissioner Micallef, he made sure that this was discussed. It marked a step forward since the UK-EU summit and brought together UK and commission representatives to discuss common priorities. This is one of our manifesto commitments, and it remains a commitment of this Government.

[Lord Oates (LD)]

My Lords, this problem, as we have heard, has gone on for many years now, despite the protestations of the Government that they are doing all they can. Is it not now time for the Government to take a much more ambitious approach to our relationships with the EU and start negotiating our return to the single market, which would solve this problem?

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

The only thing I would add to what I said previously is to repeat that, when the new Prime Minister spoke following his appointment, he reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to building a closer, more ambitious relationship with the European Union. Part of this will be to make sure that we have the summit later this year, if at all possible.

Historic Statues

Lord Oates Excerpts

Monday 19th October 2020 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Barran (Con)]

Obviously local authorities are primarily responsible in this area and will take the view of their community into consideration, but my understanding is that for the most contested examples there has been not a uniform community view, but a divided one.

[Lord Oates (LD)]

My Lords, I declare my interest as an ambassador of the charitable education and arts project, The World Reimagined. Does the Minister agree that people would be more likely to accept existing statues if we showed greater recognition of the full history of our country? In 1682, William Godwyn proposed a statue in London to prominently acknowledge the injustice suffered by enslaved Africans. Does the Minister not agree that, 350 years on, it is well past time that a national memorial should be constructed in London to commemorate the millions of Africans enslaved under British rule?

[Baroness Barran (Con)]

The noble Lord is right when he talks about a full history of our country, and we hope our approach of retain and explain goes some way to addressing that, but he is also right that there is a place for new statues expressing many different issues, both permanent and temporary installations, such as the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square.