Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Right of Self-Determination

Tuesday 1 April 2025 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Questions addressed concerns about voting rights in Washington DC.
  • The issue of voting rights in Washington DC is outside UK jurisdiction.
  • The UK Foreign Secretary discussed ongoing cooperation with Canada.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alex Mayer Lab Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard
Context

700,000 people in Washington DC are disenfranchised because their representatives do not have voting rights or full control of local government affairs.

Question

I am concerned about the 700,000 people in Washington DC who are currently disenfranchised as they have no voting rights or full control over local government. This is akin to everyone in Bedfordshire having MPs without any influence on parliamentary decisions. Does the Minister agree this situation presents a significant anomaly?

Answer from Stephen Doughty (Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

This is not a matter within our jurisdiction. The United States is a sovereign democratic nation, and the issue concerning voting rights in the District of Columbia is one that falls under US domestic affairs.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Agreement on the anomaly's significance was avoided by deferring to US sovereignty.

How: This Is Not A Matter For Us

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Q2 Roger Gale Con Herne Bay and Sandwich
Foreign Affairs
Context

There's an ongoing discussion about the right to self-determination, especially in relation to Canada.

Question

In light of the principle of self-determination, will the Foreign Secretary use his earliest opportunity to remind the US Secretary of State that Canada has chosen Commonwealth membership and recognises King Charles as its Head of State, thereby ruling out any prospect of Canadian annexation by the United States?

Answer from Stephen Doughty (Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

Canada is indeed a strong friend and ally in both the Commonwealth and NATO. I share personal ties with Canada as well, having met recently with the Canadian Minister for Foreign Affairs. The new Prime Minister was welcomed by our Prime Minister; there has been ongoing cooperation between the UK and Canada on various global issues.

Not addressed: The specific request to remind the US about Canada's status was not addressed.

How: Canada Is A Strong Friend And Commonwealth Ally

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