Lord Alderdice: My Lords, how to address in five minutes the range of foreign affairs and defence in a fast-changing world, and the context of deepening global conflict? Since 1964—fully 60 years ago—we have had not a War Office, but a Ministry of Defence. I welcome the immediate announcement by the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, that we are to have a new strategic defence review, and I congratulate...
Lord Alderdice: My Lords, I remind the House of my interests in the register, especially as executive chairman of the Changing Character of War Centre at Pembroke College, Oxford, and as founding chairman of the Concord Foundation, an independent peacebuilding organisation. As others have commented, our world is spinning into increasing turmoil. It is not just the spreading violence and war; people across...
Lord Alderdice: I wonder if I might just respond to that point. It seems to me that Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England are important separate jurisdictions with their own statute books and so on. That is not the case for some of the other areas that the noble Lord refers to. The point I was making was that when people talk about the people of Northern Ireland wanting this, that and the other...
Lord Alderdice: My Lords, one of the strengths of your Lordships’ House is that it can look at legislation with a microscope and draw back and look at the larger picture. I want to try to do the latter for a few minutes. There is not much doubt that the reason that we are addressing these statutory instruments, and indeed the wider question, is as a consequence of Brexit. Without Brexit, none of these...
Lord Alderdice: My Lords, how should one wind up a debate of such passion and complexity? Jesus summed up the whole of the law and the prophets by saying: “Love God with all your heart … Love your neighbour as yourself”. When you next look into the eyes of one of your own children or grandchildren, you will see the miracle of a wonderful human being. You do not want them to suffer, be beaten, shot or...
Lord Alderdice: My Lords, I start by declaring my interests in the register, particularly as executive chairman and director of the Changing Character of War Centre at Pembroke College, Oxford. It is very difficult to approach this debate calmly. One might argue that there is no reason to be calm. Horrible, frightening things have been happening in Israel and Gaza and it is natural to rage and wish for...
Lord Alderdice: My Lords, I declare my interest as director of the Changing Character of War Centre at Oxford University. This substantial report rightly focuses on defending our country and our people from the political, economic and military threats in our relationship with China. However, there is an impression of an almost ineluctable trajectory towards war on the model of the so-called Thucydides trap....
Lord Alderdice: My Lords, I am also grateful to the Minister for giving us the opportunity to study and discuss this question of the long-term strategic challenges posed by China. It will be no great surprise, and scarcely a matter of a declaration of interest, for me to say that liberal democratic principles are absolutely key for me and liberal democratic practices are something that I want to continue to...
Lord Alderdice: My Lords, during a meeting earlier this year in Sarajevo, I stood with some colleagues at the spot where the Archduke Ferdinand was assassinated, triggering a series of events that resulted in the First World War. It was a moving and troubling reminder of how things can deteriorate quickly and catastrophically. I remember being there in the city many years previously, in 2002—actually, at...
Lord Alderdice: My Lords, I too thank the noble Lord, Lord Smith of Hindhead, for introducing this debate so helpfully. Like him and the noble Lord, Lord Dubs, I pay tribute to the noble Lord, Lord Bowness. He and I came into your Lordships’ House in the same year, 1996, and I have always found him a most effective and courteous gentleman. He has done our country proud in the work that he has done in the...
Lord Alderdice: My Lords, there are some debates in your Lordships’ House that are of particular solemnity and consequence. This is one such debate. In exercising the privilege of participating in it, I draw the attention of the House to my interest as the executive chairman of the Changing Character of War Centre at Pembroke College, Oxford. The problem in Ukraine is not new. I recall reflecting in this...
Lord Alderdice: My Lords, like the noble Baroness, Lady Ritchie, I thank the Minister for presenting to us the context for the Bill and for the technical elements of it. I would not dispute with him any of the technical aspects he described: they are fairly straightforwardly part of such a budget Bill. However, in opening the Second Reading debate on the Bill in the other place, the Secretary of State for...
Lord Alderdice: My Lords, I declare my interest as executive chairman of the Changing Character of War Centre at Pembroke College, Oxford—and that is the issue with which I start. The nature of war has not changed since ancient times. It involves the use of force and, arguably, the threat of the use of force, by one group against another. It also requires resistance by those under attack: without that...
Lord Alderdice: My Lords, I too thank the Minister for clearly presenting the elements of the Bill. I identify with the sentiments of sympathy and concern expressed for DCI John Caldwell and his family. I also identify with the comments made by the noble Baroness, Lady Ritchie of Downpatrick, who pointed out the need to consider not only those who do violence, as was apparently done by people from the...
Lord Alderdice: To ask His Majesty's Government what recent steps they have taken to provide assistance to the government of Colombia to implement the Constitutional Court of Colombia's 2016 T622 ruling relating to the Atrato River Case.
Lord Alderdice: To ask His Majesty's Government how they will monitor the implementation of the commitments made in the Joint Declaration of Intent, signed at COP25, to support the government of Colombia in (1) conserving fragile ecosystems, and (2) safeguarding the rights and safety of indigenous peoples.
Lord Alderdice: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Joint Declaration of Intent between Colombia, Germany, Norway and the UK, signed at COP25 and reaffirmed at COP27, what support they will provide to Colombia to (1) develop their national development plan, and (2) fulfil the COP27 commitments to tackle deforestation and address biodiversity loss.
Lord Alderdice: To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Peru about reports of (1) the deaths of civilians in that country following recent protests against the President, and (2) the alleged involvement of Peruvian security services in these deaths.
Lord Alderdice: To ask His Majesty's Government how the powers, responsibility, and accountability of the Northern Ireland Planning Appeals Commission compare to similar bodies in the other countries of the UK; and what impact any difference is having on the Levelling Up agenda.
Lord Alderdice: To ask His Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with the government of Israel about policing in the Old City of Jerusalem; and in particular, whether they have recommended co-operation with any UK police forces.
