Every country in the world is debating whether and how to fashion a global role. When I took China's top foreign policy official, State Councillor Dai Bingguo, to the Cabinet War Rooms and Churchill Museum last weekend, he relayed his recent conversation with one of the most eminent American foreign policy heavyweights. "Britain punches above its weight," he had been told. He asked me why. This is what I told him. Our outlook, influence and power today reflects history but does not rest on it. Instead, four factors are key. First, we embrace the internationalism of the modern world, with its new powers and new threats. Britain is a leading contributor of people and money in tackling the great challenges of the world. Our Armed Forces are trained, equipped and flexible. And we are willing to deploy them in the toughest places. Our intelligence services are exceptionally effective -- as their involvement in the revelation of secret Iranian nuclear facilities has shown. We are world leaders when it comes to development assistance. And with 261 diplomatic missions in more than 160 countries, our foreign service gives us insight and influence the world over. Government is only part of the story. British businesses export British goods, values and working practices all over the world. Two of the big eight humanitarian charities -- Save the Children and Oxfam -- started life in Britain. The diversity of our society gives us diaspora networks that stretch across the world.
Our outlook, influence and power today reflects history but does not rest on it. Instead, four factors are key.
First, we embrace the internationalism of the modern world, with its new powers and new threats. Britain is a leading contributor of people and money in tackling the great challenges of the world. Our Armed Forces are trained, equipped and flexible. And we are willing to deploy them in the toughest places. Our intelligence services are exceptionally effective -- as their involvement in the revelation of secret Iranian nuclear facilities has shown. We are world leaders when it comes to development assistance. And with 261 diplomatic missions in more than 160 countries, our foreign service gives us insight and influence the world over.
Government is only part of the story. British businesses export British goods, values and working practices all over the world. Two of the big eight humanitarian charities -- Save the Children and Oxfam -- started life in Britain. The diversity of our society gives us diaspora networks that stretch across the world.
Not just Blair and Miliband: Britain.
(..... no, words fail me.........)
A (jewish)columnist once proposed there should be a "jew" test. Whenever somebody found themselves speaking in favour of some ban or legislation that would primarily affect one group of people (however defined), that society should ask "how would I feel if we used the word "jew" instead of said group ?"
I think whenever somebody considers speaking internationally in praise of Britain, they should use the "France" or "Germany" test. If it isn't toe-curdling when applied to another country then it's okay. keep to the Fen Causeway
"Europe can only exist on the "world stage" thanks to France." or "Europe can only exist on the "world stage" thanks to Germany." make a lot more sense than "Europe can only exist on the "world stage" thanks to Britain." "Few can believe that suffering, especially by others, is in vain. - Galbraith"
Another official recalled dining with Mr Blair. "He got used to being British leader in the front rank and was clear he would not take the European job if it meant standing behind heads of government when summit photographs are taken." So, the final countdown has begun in earnest. Will we be seeing a magisterial motorcade for a statesman of Mr Blair's international stature, or a more modest form of transport befitting a politician who could not stop the traffic in his own back yard? Or, as one Blairite ally puts it: "Do they want a president who has the red carpet rolled out in Beijing or one who waits in the queue at immigration because no one recognises him? That is the test."
Another official recalled dining with Mr Blair. "He got used to being British leader in the front rank and was clear he would not take the European job if it meant standing behind heads of government when summit photographs are taken."
So, the final countdown has begun in earnest. Will we be seeing a magisterial motorcade for a statesman of Mr Blair's international stature, or a more modest form of transport befitting a politician who could not stop the traffic in his own back yard?
Or, as one Blairite ally puts it: "Do they want a president who has the red carpet rolled out in Beijing or one who waits in the queue at immigration because no one recognises him? That is the test."
