Where is the foreign policy?

THX1138

Yep I just read Matthews article and as usual was in complete agreement. Dave needs to tell us what he thinks on these big global issues from climate change to the Middle East, we have a right to know.

Off piste but a very funny ancedote from Danny Finkelstein in today's Times, at the expense of economists- Never a chore.

"An economist friend has just told me a wonderful story about a professional colleague of his. The colleague was waiting at the airport for his flight to be called when a man ran into his section of the lounge, slightly out of breath. “Is there an economist in here?” he called out.

My friend's friend was delighted. He has always wanted to help out in an emergency. He puffed out his chest, stood up and in a clear voice called out. “Yes. I am an economist.”

The man looked back at him with a mixture of contempt and bewildered surprise. “The magazine,” he said slowly.

The Times is head and shoulders the best newspaper in Britain at the moment.

JONNY

There's no clarity because no one knows which way Obama is going to twist and turn.
Do you Peter?
Of course they could resort to the usual default position taken by Brown-Miliband.
Fawn on the USA and do whatever they want us to, while being stand-offish with Europe.
Easy - anyone child of ten could do that.
My own hope might be for a return to dignity and lack of self-abasement in our foreign affairs.
Unlike many I believe Cameron/Hague could manage that.

strapworld

Mr Hoskin, are you a Blairite in disguise?

The world is changing. Cameron cannot give, I would argue, a comprehensive view on Foreign Policy, save for one, until things settle down.

Obama is doing quite strange things that will, I believe, cause much serious thinking within the Shadow Cabinet. It does appear, at this very early stage, that the 'great one' could be another President Carter and actually weaken the Atlantic Alliance.

We are told by those Global Warming 'experts' that it will lead to rapid migration of millions, thus creating divisions between peoples.

The lack of water will be another area which will force people to migrate. What if, as suggested by some learned souls, the Chinese move to Africa, because of the lack of water in China?

How can Cameron be expected to build a sound Foreign policy when there are so many questions.

It is a time for cool heads and deep consideration of where we are and where we wish to be.

I did mention that there was one area of foreign policy that Cameron could and should speak up loud and clear, and not leave it to William Hague. That is the EU.

It is all very well talking about a referendum on the Lisbon treaty. But what IF it is backed by all countries prior to the General Election.

What will a Cameron Government do about the Lisbon Treaty, which we are told is non negotiable when ratified!

Cameron talks about re-negotiating the terms of our membership! How, as we are told such a move woould need the agreement of ALL states.

Would he consider leaving the EU? If not why not?

I want to hear a speech from David Cameron. Not William Hague but the leader himself. Unequivical and straight to the point, so that people will know IF this Country has any future as a self governing entity or, as I believe, end up a part of the EUSSR.

George Butterworth

Cameron has already demonstrated the main plank of his foreign policy. He disapproves of Russia and is eager to be seen embracing Russia's enemies.
His stance is so ridiculous and unnecessary and contrary to the interests of the UK that I can only assume he's sold his foreign policy for hard cash just like Blair did. Its the one area that makes me doubt his ability to make sensible decisions based on national interest and its very worrying.

perdix

We have spent too much blood and treasure on overseas adventures and we have not been thanked for our noble efforts.It's time to concentrate on our own people.

Steve.W

Mick Jagger once sang “he can't be a man because he doesn't smoke”. And Matthew Parris seems to be saying that the Tories can't be a proper political party because they don't have a foreign policy. Both are wrong. I've just read Parris again, the first time I skimmed through, not up to his usual standard, too much filler. I'm really looking forward to a government that puts domestic issues first, I think I'm worth it!

GeoffH

Foreign policy can be summed as "Protect British interests".

No need for anything else.

colin

I agree with strapworld.

Our future relationship with the EU in general and the Lisbon treaty in particular would be good starting points.

Athesius the Facilitator

Mr Hoskin: The last line in your piece is just not fair. Implying they are unfit for government without spelling out their foreign policy.

They must say the right things in opposition and that is basically following the protocol of agreeing with the governments actions.

Foreign policy develops on the hoof as events dictate. So give them a break on this.

mckenzie

Peter, are you seriously suggesting that you know what everyone else's foreign policy is?

Verity

Cameron cannot and will give any guarantees about Lisbon because, like Blair, he regards the premiership of Britain as a stepping stone to the untold wealth, self-importance and glory of becoming one of the EUSSR Nomenklatura. He will skirt this most critical issue, and waffle, but will give no firm commitment that he can be held to that we will not only not be adhering to the Lisbon "Treaty", but will begin disengaging from this awful construct.

He will give a pr man's idea of fiddling round the edges to create an air of activity, but he will not act or promise to act.

George Laird

Dear All

I am sure that there will be more Tory Foreign Policy if William Hague could give up his after dinner speeches racket.

Although Hague is a good orator, it is meaningless unless he does the work and is seen to be doing the work.

I am sure if he could stop feathering his own nest for a while the Tories might get a policy or at least a watered downed version of the American one, re written to take in British sensibilities.

What greater sacrifice could Hague make but to lay down a massive cheque for his country?

The poor only get to lay down their lifes but Hague could lay down cash!

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University

David

"But in Europe Britain's natural allies in the “new” EU would be glad of an outstretched hand from our likely next government"

And we've just told them to sod off by leaving the EPP to sit with a group of nutters and bigots.

Anonymous Welsh rugby fan

'Please allow me to introduce myself
I'm a man of wealth and taste'

and part of my taste is to offer quotations that do not distort the original meaning:

'he can't be a man cos he doesn't smoke the same cigarettes as me'

Now,
'Pleased to meet you, hope you guess my name.'

frank goddard

For gods sake leave the man alone,stop picking at him the proof will be in the pudding when he is elected.I am a senior citizen,I have been thro' the blitz's and all the stress and trauma that brings to a person,I have lived here and abroad all my working life of fifty two years,I have seen all the prime ministers since the war ended and only two were outstanding,Churchill and Thatcher.Cameron is going to have a big job on his hands getting the home economy back on track and will need everyone's help in the first hundred days from those who are true to Conservative policies, not people stabbing him in the back with their twitterings "will he do this,will he do that".WHO CARES what other countries think of our foreign policies,let them guess.I myself am literally fed up of all this Socialist appeasement with other countries.I sincerely hope Cameron will put us back on the map in the thatcher spirit of the eightie's and not tolerate the global and EU expansionist policies of Gormless Brown to the detriment of our own people.You all, that contribute to this forum,should know off by heart what Conservatism values are, both at home and abroad,why do we have to keep hammering home what these are,it should be second nature to everyone,if not then go and vote for Nu-Labour and have more of that we have had in the last twelve years.Fair comment I agree with,derisory and cynical comment I abhore.If you want a Tory goverment then,especially you paid for columists,knock GB and his cohorts.
Frank G...English pensioner.

Chuck Unsworth

Anyone know what Brown's Foreign Policy might be?

Something along the lines of saving his backside whilst appeasing everyone, perhaps?

Nothing to do with ensuring Britain's best interests, of course.

Robert

Here is a dirty little secret; we voters don't give a flying **** about foreign policy! We just want our country back.

Fergus Pickering

You don't have a foreign policy. You act in Britain's interests. How can you know what these interests will be before you arefaced with a choice of things to do?

Oh no not more unfounded speculation from ignorant clairvoynt Verity

Verity @ 1:50pm:

Cameron cannot and will give any guarantees about Lisbon because, like Blair, he regards the premiership of Britain as a stepping stone to the untold wealth, self-importance and glory of becoming one of the EUSSR Nomenklatura. He will skirt this most critical issue, and waffle, but will give no firm commitment that he can be held to that we will not only not be adhering to the Lisbon "Treaty", but will begin disengaging from this awful construct.

He will give a pr man's idea of fiddling round the edges to create an air of activity, but he will not act or promise to act.

That's pretty straight and suggests you have had a heeart to heart with DC, Verity.

What evidence do you have to back up your bold assertions?

Hawkeye

@Robert - Spot on! You are 100% correct.

Andy

As long as Cameron stands up for Britain (and more specifically England) I don't care what his foreign policy is - as long as it doesn't mean pouring millions we don't have into the bottomless pit of Africa.

TrevorsDen

Pleased to say I agree strapworld. Mostly.

The world was dangerous but more straightforward in 1979 - 89.

So there is not much in the way of a flsagship or standard bearing policy to shout about.

Clearly we are involved in Afghanistan, but our armed forces are over streched and under equipped. So it would really be a hostage to fortune to talk up our involvement to bank on about what we want doing when I may be that we will be very limited militarily.

Verity - Cameron is already well off - so he will not have to conduct himself with a view ton enriching his wife and getting her the trappings of life she feels she is entitled to. So he might just govern in Britain's best interests.

Susan Hill

@Frank Goddard.. sadly, Coffee House is far far from being the right-wing voice I keep hoping for. Every new blogger appointed turns out to be another leftie. The magazine itself is different - still pretty conservative with some very good voices. I only stay here so that I can keep nagging on and get them to see that we do not want yet more NuLab left-inclined voices. If enough of us remain and continue to nag perhaps something will happen but don`t think you have come to the natural home of Right-Thinking. I only wish you had.

Tiberius

Well said Frank Goddard.

And indeed, British foreign policy is hamstrung by the Islamist threat in our midst (and it is somewhat surprising that Matthew Parris doesn't seem to take this into account). As Millipede demonstrated recently over torture and in his visit to India, Britain has to view its foreign policy through the prism of the fear of an domestic Islamist backlash.

We have had threads on here which have effectively been war games about how the home-grown Islamist threat will play out. At present, our Foreign Secretary has his vitals held in a vice, and we have the CIA over here spying on people whom we choose to call British citizens. Will the scenario of GIs over here be coming along any time soon?

This all makes policy abroad somewhat less urgent.

George Laird

Dear Susan Hill

You say the magazine is "pretty conservative" and the bloggers are lefties.

Are you so narrow minded that you do not want to hear both types of opinions?

Why reject an idea based on political dogma?

I would have thought you better than that.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University