If you were William Hague’s speechwriter what would you want him to say?

Marcher Baron

I'd like him to say that, having regard to cost effectiveness and the lamentable fact that its accounts have failed to be signed off for over a decade, HM's government has decided to take advantage of a clause in the Lisbon Treaty and withdraw from the EU.

Roller

I have a lot of hope for William Hague as Foriegn Secretary. He has far more assurance and gravitas than David Miliband.

I would like to see an agenda that seeks to make Britain a player on the world stage in its own right once more. More bi-partisanship with India for example in an attempt to maintain some sort of balance of Chinese power. A revolution in our relationship with the African continent, creating a more business-like relationship rather than the endless cycle of aid. A clear policy on Europe; Britain is its own country and we will always protect our interests.

The 'Special Relationship' should now be rephrased as 'one of the most important relationships' we have. Britain and the United States should always maintain a close partnership, for we are the only two countries in the world who have the military power and courage to defend democracy. One without the other, and the cause would be severely weakened.

A commitment to Afghanistan and Iraq - we started a war there, so it is our duty to ensure the two countries have a stable and secure future - As with Iraq, our duty is not just military but political and social too.

The overall gist should be: Britain stands ready once more to shape events on the global stage, not have its destiny shaped by external events.

In2minds

Something about "not being ruled by Europe" would be just right. Hague only has to say it, he does not have to mean it. It could always be ditched later.

paulg

I listened to your audio but it was hardly discernable. But then I realised it was not the accustics it was all the woolley thinking: no clarity, no vision, and not much of an idea I think.

Cato

He should state clearly that Britain will draw clear distinctions between free nations and nations held captive by tyrants, and will no longer treat dictators as if they were legitimate governors of the people they oppress.

However, I have no real hope that this will be the case. Hague's recent statements suggest he is among those who draw an equivalence between the actions of a free nation (Israel) and those of a band of thug terrorists.

Declan

I'd be interested to hear, given his strong criticism of the previous administrations parsimonious approach to the FCO over the past few years, how he intends to run an effective Foreign Policy when his department is about to be gutted to an even further extent than Blair and Brown managed. Will he tell us how many diplomatic posts will he be closing in September? How many will be converted to entirely locally run posts, as was already happening under Labour? Will UKTI be abolished in its entirety? There is no point giving major speeches about the direction of British Foreign Policy when there won't be an actual Foreign Service to help you run it.

strapworld

Gran' evenin 'n welcome. ah 'ood li' ta tek dis opportunity ta mek um reet important announcements. firstly wea'ar breykin off diplomatic relations wi' t' useur. secondly wea'ar amalgamatin wi' chineur 'n thirdly ahl be movin ta 'ong kong

TomTom

The goal of British foreign policy is the preservation of liberty and protection of British national interests. It may be undertaken in coalition with others in furtherance of those goals, but it is not to be made subservient to passing fads and ideological whims, nor are the Armed Forces of The Crown to be used as an extension of the NGOs and Media interests, but solely for the protection of British territorial integrity and liberty

Tanuki

I'd like him to say:

1] We are disbanding the Department for International Development with immediate effect and using all its allocated budgets to pay down our national debt.

2] We are ceasing all future payments to the European Union. We invite them to sue us in any UK court for non-payment.

That is all.

simonared

I would like him to direct his mind and thoughts to the re-establishment of the Commonwealth as a major trading entity especially to include Australia, NZ, Canada and India preparatory to leaving the European Union and the misanthropes in Brussels

Flat Earth Society

Apppoint a Rotating Globe Unit - more spin please.

Neil Turner

I was a fan of Hague until he got elected.

I now have very low expectations, and frankly expect the continuation of Foreign policy we saw under Blair and Brown

But, to answer the exam question....

1. Repatriation of powers from Brussels, so we can regain control of our borders
2. More support for Israel, placing our embassy in Jerusalem.

Pigs might fly.
3.

Boudicca

"The Lisbon Treaty is illegal because it was ratified without the Referendum the British electorate was promised by the previous Government. We will therefore be repealing it. As we have been told renegotiation is not possible, we will be holding a Referendum on the UK's continuing membership of the EU next year. If the Referendum results in a vote to leave the EU, we will honour that verdict and instead join EFTA.

In the meantime, Her Majesty's Government intends returning to a global foreign and economic policy. We will be strengthening our historic links with the Commonwealth countries and will be actively pursuing enhanced 'special relationships' with the Anglo-Commonwealth and India. We intend building on our economic links with China, Brazil and the other emerging economies.

The UK has always been a great trading nation. We intend resurrecting that."

Kennybhoy

Speccie Censor in the Basement!

Am I not allowed to poke fun at Maister Korski's pretentions any more?

Cogito Ergosum

1. The political world is comprised of nation states, plus a few anarchic areas. Those states, including Britain, act in their own national interests.

2. There is no worldwide agreement on any universal moral code. Britain will not attempt to impose its ideas outside our own territories, and will resist unwelcome foreign ideas.

3. Britain will not interfere in the internal affairs of other nations. If Iran wants to spend its own money on nuclear technology, so be it.

4. Britain and its allies may intervene if other states perform acts of war outside their borders. Iran and others take note.

5. Britain will seek good trade relations with any country that is not our enemy.

6. Britain will deport foreign visitors or residents who seriously break our law. If they cannot face return to their own country, they should have been more respectful of ours. See item 2: we will not try to uphold a non-existent universal moral code.

John Bracewell

What Boudicca said. Some hope for 1st para but 2nd para might just fly.

Kennybhoy

Speccie Censor in the Basement!

Obviously not then!

Osred

"As Secretary of the UK Branch of the European External Action Service can I just start by saying how pleased I am to be able to increase our financial contributions to Europe at a time we are cutting our domestic spending and taxing our citizens even more to to fund the Centre.

Let me also say how I will not be fighting old battles - indeed we will not fight any battles and I will certainly not be inconveniencing our European friends with reminders of CAP reform, or requests for financial probity..... we stand for a new start based on the traditional UK/EU model - You Lie-We Pay "