Right of Self-Determination

01 Apr

Question

The debate centered around the right of self-determination and the UK's role in promoting this human right globally. Alex Mayer of the Labour Party initiated the discussion by inquiring about efforts to enhance awareness and respect for this principle worldwide. Stephen Doughty asserted the UK's commitment to safeguarding human rights, acknowledging that self-determination is a foundational element in internationally recognized covenants.

700,000 disenfranchised people

Residents in Washington DC without Senate or House voting rights.

Significant Contributions:

Alex Mayer highlighted the disenfranchisement of Washington DC's residents in the US, comparing it to Bedfordshire communities represented without voting rights in Parliament. Mayer suggested this posed an international ethical concern worth acknowledging.
Sir Roger Gale sought reassurances that Canada, a Commonwealth nation, would remain attached to the UK rather than being drawn closer to the US amidst geopolitical shifts.
Stephen Doughty moved to clarify that voting rights in the US fall outside the UK's jurisdiction but affirmed strong diplomatic ties with both the US and Canada.

Member of the Commonwealth, NATO ally, G7 member

Describing Canada's international affiliations as reassurance of its sovereignty.

Follow-up Discussions: Mayer's inquiry about DC was tactfully redirected by Doughty, emphasizing national sovereignty issues. Gale's concerns were met with reassurances of the robust Commonwealth relationship, indicating no immediate geopolitical tensions in Canada's status.

Outcome

The session concluded without new commitments but served to reaffirm existing international relationships and clarify boundaries in jurisdiction over self-determination issues.

Key Contributions

Alex MayerSpeaker

Labour

Questioned UK's actions towards fostering global respect for self-determination.

Stephen DoughtySpeaker

Affirmed UK's dedication to human rights, including self-determination.

Sir Roger GaleSpeaker

Conservative

Queried UK's commitment to maintaining Canada's status within the Commonwealth.

Original Transcript

Alex Mayer

Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard

Lab

Question

UIN: 903546

12. What steps he is taking to increase the understanding of and respect for the right to self-determination globally.

The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Stephen Doughty

12:16

The United Kingdom is committed to promoting and protecting human rights and the rule of law, and the right to self-determination is set out in the international covenant on civil and political rights.

Alex Mayer

12:16

Some 700,000 people in Washington DC are currently disenfranchised because their representatives in the Senate and the House of Representatives do not have voting rights or full control of local government affairs.

It is the equivalent of everyone in Bedfordshire voting for MPs who have no chance of going through the voting Lobby. Does the Minister agree that that is a particularly strange anomaly?

Stephen Doughty

12:16

This is not a matter for us. The United States is a sovereign, democratic nation, and the issue of voting rights in the District of Columbia is a matter for the United States.

Sir Roger Gale

Herne Bay and Sandwich

Con

12:17

In the interests of self-determination, will the Foreign Secretary take the earliest opportunity to remind his opposite number in the United States that Canada has chosen to be a member state of the Commonwealth, that the Head of the Commonwealth and the Head of State of Canada is His Majesty King Charles, and that there is no prospect whatsoever of Canada being annexed by the United States?

Stephen Doughty

Canada is a strong friend and Commonwealth ally. It is a NATO ally and a fellow G7 member. I have strong ties with Canada myself, as the right hon. Gentleman might know.

I was delighted to reiterate our friendship when I met my ministerial counterpart the other week; Prime Minister Carney, the new Canadian Prime Minister, was welcomed by the Prime Minister; and in recent weeks, the Foreign Secretary has been meeting with his counterpart.

We continue to work strongly with Canada on many global issues.

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