Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Links with the United States

Wednesday 16 June 2021 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Julie Marson welcomed the appointment of a special envoy and emphasized the importance of international engagement to address challenges in Northern Ireland.
  • The Secretary of State responded to criticism about the UK Government's isolation, asserting that they provide direct and honest answers to questions.
  • Gavin Robinson inquired about steps being taken to strengthen Northern Ireland's connections with the United States.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Julie Marson
Northern Ireland Foreign Affairs
Context

The question addresses the importance of Northern Ireland's relationship with the United States and seeks to understand how the government will engage other international partners.

Question

I welcome the news that my right hon. Friend has appointed a special envoy. Does he agree that it is important to engage not just with the US but with all our international friends and partners to ensure a greater understanding of the challenges that Northern Ireland faces, but also of the opportunities that this integral part of the UK has?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

My hon. Friend is spot on: she is absolutely right. We in the UK are committed to working internationally to tackle global challenges, as was demonstrated by our hosting of the G7 just last weekend. As an integral part of the Union of the United Kingdom, we will always fully represent the issues that matter most to Northern Ireland when we engage with our international partners.

Answered
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Q2 Julie Marson
Northern Ireland Foreign Affairs
Context

The question arises from concerns about the UK's international reputation and its relationship with allies, particularly in light of recent comments made by UK officials.

Question

Inflaming tensions, undermining trust and a formal diplomatic rebuke—we would expect this language and action to form the backdrop to a summit with our adversaries, rather than with our closest allies. Is the Secretary of State not alarmed that our Government are increasingly isolated from our partners on the protocol? What comfort can the Secretary of State, who boasted about breaching international law, provide to the new US Administration that his word can be trusted?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

Obviously, I do not recognise the context the hon. Lady outlines, but I would say to her, as I said earlier, that what colleagues and people around the world can see is that I will always be straight and give a direct and honest answer to a question, as I did last year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about assurance of trust with the US was not directly addressed. The response mainly focused on defending his approach without providing concrete assurances.

How: Obviously, But I Would Say To Her

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Q3 Alex Davies-Jones Lab Pontypridd
Northern Ireland
Context

The question is prompted by comments from an Irish official that are seen as unhelpful and destabilizing in the context of Northern Ireland's ongoing political instability.

Question

I congratulate the Secretary of State and wish Trevor Ringland well on his appointment as a special envoy from Northern Ireland. The Secretary of State will know that Northern Ireland has attracted significant interest internationally over the last number of decades. At pivotal moments, it has been incredibly helpful, but at other times that involvement can be naive and, worse still, partisan. In that vein, may I ask the Secretary of State what reflections he has to make on the deeply unhelpful and destabilising contribution from the Irish Tanaiste yesterday, at such a grave time of political instability in Northern Ireland?

Answer from Brandon Lewis

I join the hon. Gentleman in expressing some surprise at the comments we saw yesterday. We would be concerned about any deviation from the principle of consent, as enshrined in the Belfast/Good Friday agreement, but that agreement of course also respects the right of anyone to express their views.

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Q4 Gavin Robinson DUP Belfast East
Northern Ireland Foreign Affairs
Context

The question focuses on the importance of Northern Ireland maintaining its relationship with the US and seeks details about how this relationship will be promoted.

Question

What steps he is taking to promote Northern Ireland's links with the US.

Answer from Brandon Lewis

The Government have always cherished our close relationship with the United States. It was a combined effort of the UK, Irish and US Governments that brought the troubles to an end, and it will take a renewed and ongoing partnership to safeguard Northern Ireland's stability and prosperity in the future.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about steps being taken was not fully addressed. The response provided background but did not outline concrete actions.

How: It Will Take A Renewed And Ongoing Partnership

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