Margaret Ritchie

Latest speeches

1. Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee · House of Lords · 17 September 2026

   • Protecting rights of all communities and immigration concerns

     “Thank you, Lord Chair, and Gavin, you're very welcome. Obviously, you have raised various issues in relation to Article 2. And for purposes of clarification, because we live in a divided society here in Northern Ireland where there are varying…”

     Watch from 33:14

   • Protecting rights of all communities and immigration concerns

     “And just a supplementary Lord Chair, in relation to safeguarding the union of which you were a significant negotiator, were those issues in relation to Article 2 discussed with the previous government by yourself?”

     Watch from 36:03

2. Northern Ireland Scrutiny Committee · House of Lords · 17 September 2026

   • Clarity, dynamism and alternative human rights guarantees

     “And thank you, John, you're very welcome. Obviously from the evidence that you have already given, what would you see, how would you see those rights being protected as per the Belfast Good Friday Agreement? And I suppose you've already…”

     Watch from 19:56

   • Public unease, ECHR debates and separation of powers

     “Thank you, Chair. John, could you just clarify for us again how those rights in the RESO chapter of the Good Friday Agreement will be protected if there wasn't an Article 2 of the Windsor Framework? Considering that some of…”

     Watch from 33:16

   • Public unease, ECHR debates and separation of powers

     “Thank you, Lord Chair. Because we live in a divided society, John, in Northern Ireland, how would the rights of all of the people, unionist, nationalist, and other, be protected if there wasn't an ECHR or if there wasn't a…”

     Watch from 45:33
   3 more clips in this sitting

3. Lords Grand Committee · House of Lords · 14 September 2026

   • Windsor Framework governance SI: Support, unionist concerns and opposition queries

     “My Lords, I'm deeply grateful for permission to take part in this particular debate. I welcome these regulations, as I also have welcomed on many occasions the Windsor Framework, because it deals with those special arrangements that have to deal…”

     Watch from 25:00

   • Northern Ireland voter ID: Further scrutiny, devolution and constitutional questions

     “My Lords, it's a pleasure to follow the noble Lord Weir in relation to this particular issue. Firstly, I would like to welcome my noble friend Baroness Anderson to the dispatch box representing NIO. And this is my first occasion…”

     Watch from 1:21:31

4. House of Lords · House of Lords · 8 September 2026

   • Oral Question 4: El Niño, climate impacts and UK food security

     “My Lords, I beg leave to ask the questions standing in my name on the order paper. My Lords, could I thank my noble friend the minister for the detailed answer. Only last week, the Secretary General of the United…”

     Watch from 45:18

   • Visiting Forces Act: jurisdiction over US personnel and victims’ rights

     “My Lords, another week and yet again we have another regret motion in respect of the Windsor Framework regarding plant health seeds, seed potatoes and plant propagating material. I ask the simple question: what does this achieve? And like the…”

     Watch from 5:08:56

5. House of Lords · House of Lords · 3 September 2026

   • Oral question: Summer drought, reservoirs and water companies

     “Over the last few days, the Director-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, has indicated that the global world is facing an exceptional El Niño impact that will have a direct effect on food production and food security, notwithstanding on…”

     Watch from 52:44

6. House of Lords · House of Lords · 2 September 2026

   • Backbench questions on growth, devolution and welfare reform

     “My Lords, I would like to warmly welcome the Prime Minister's statement and particularly around the areas of hope, optimism, and also devolution. And as somebody from Northern Ireland, I would encourage the leader of the house to talk to…”

     Watch from 3:48:05

   • Critiques of Windsor alignment, internal market and SPS law

     “My Lords, we have had several debates over the last couple of years in relation to the Windsor Framework, and all of them have originated from those who are basically opposed to the Windsor Framework, which is a direct consequence…”

     Watch from 4:33:47