A motion to support a democratic agenda for international trade and development

This house recognises:

• That the United Kingdom’s capacity to protect democratic sovereignty is hindered by an over-reliance of products made in countries with authoritarian governments, and by an over-reliance on credit from said countries;

• That the exposure of authoritarian states such as the People's Republic of China to our infrastructure risks undermining national security.

Therefore, this house urges the government to:

• Focus development aid into democratic or democratising with robust repercussions in terms of development aid spending for democratic backsliding;

• Increase the financial viability of deferring from the import of product or seeking of investment from countries with an authoritarian government;

• Produce a long-term plan with support from other democratic allies to reduce access by authoritarian regimes to the respective states markets in terms of both exports and investment.

• This motion was submitted by the Shadow Secretary of State for Defence, u/ka4bi, and the Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, the Baroness Ruddington, and the Shadow Secretary of State for the Home Department, u/Checkmybrain11, on behalf of the Conservative and Unionist Party.

This Division shall end on the 9th December

Opening Speech

Mr Speaker,

Throughout the drama that has been the British Steel dilemma, whether one backs the government's plans or not, we have seen the unsettling influence that China has on our economy. I am sure that it is the desire of every MP to retain Britain's control over its economic affairs, and therefore I am presenting a request to the government today to produce a long-term plan to reduce the control and leverage authoritarian governments have over our country.