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Commonwealth debate welcomed
The Liberal Democrat Commons spokesman has welcomed a debate on the Commonwealth, saying it is being taken "decreasingly seriously".
Simon Hughes, who lobbied for the debate to be included in the parliamentary timetable, told ePolitix.com the organisation could be more influential around the world.
"The Commonwealth is the one relationship that straddles the globe," he said.
"And in an organisation where we have the headship of that organisation, over 53 sovereign states where there are nearly two billion people, it seems to me we ought to take more seriously the opportunities that the Commonwealth gives and the extent to which the Commonwealth could be influential."
The Commonwealth could be influential in helping find peace settlements in countries such as Sri Lanka, or long-term solutions for countries such as Cyprus, he said.
"I think we have taken this organisation decreasingly seriously, and one of the ways of getting it back on the map of Parliament and government is to make sure we regularly debate in Parliament what it does, what it could do better, and what its priorities should be in the years ahead."
Debate
Junior foreign office minister Meg Munn opened the debate, held to mark Commonwealth Day earlier this month.
She said: "One of the Commonwealth's greatest advantages is that it is able to cut across traditional alliances and regional blocks.
"We would like to see it develop a more active role on identifying and helping to defuse potential conflict situations.
"It can also be a very positive force on important world issues [such as] tackling radicalisation, climate change, human rights and good governance."
For the Conservatives, shadow minister for foreign affairs Keith Simpson said the Commonwealth was a "great asset" to the UK.
"It is one of Britain's three key relationships - the circles of influence, Europe, the transatlantic relationship and the Commonwealth."
The debate took the place of Thursday's topical debate, a recent innovation currently under review by the government.
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