Labour confirms its principled foreign policy

It was heartening to see that all of the speeches made at the Labour Party conference mentioning foreign policy confirmed the essential moral and strategic necessity of promoting democracy and human rights when Britain conducts itself abroad.

Part of Tony Blair's legacy will surely be that under his leadership Labour changed British foreign and security policy for the better. Gone are the days of the disgraced 'hyper-realism' of Tories such as Malcolm Rifkind and Douglas Hurd, who described calls for intervention in Rwanda and Bosnia to halt genocide as 'ethical nonsense'. Inaction resulted in the deaths of millions. A global power like Britain has responsibilities to uphold and obligations to discharge in the wider world. When we fail to stand up for those who need our help or to give enough aid, the only result is gross injustice.

It is essential that Labour continues with the implementation of its progressive and values-based foreign policy. Tyrants and oppressors do not make good allies. Democrats and those who stand for universal human rights are our true friends. Whether in Iraq, Afghanistan, Sierra Leone or whatever other country, it is our duty as progressives to support them, so that their countries can also one day enjoy the benefits that we do. This will build a durable peace, enhancing the security of the world.

Britain - under Labour - is a missionary democracy, and we should be proud of it.

Comments

[Mike Bennett]

Um... Iraq

[Sunny]

Is this meant to be a sarcastic post? Because then it would make sense.

[Bob Deed]

My belief that we have an ethically-informed foreign policy is wearing a bit thin after this summer.

We watched Lebanon and its people being bombed back decades while the UK refused to call for a ceasefire.

While I agree that we should not return to the days of Malcolm Rifkind and Douglas Hurd - we must also not go back to this year's summer of shame and devastation in Lebanon.

[Terry Perkins]

I don't know about ethical foreign policy wearing thin. I'm far more concerned about the increasing anti Israeli bias.

Firstly, this Government has led the world in ethical foreign policy. Africa, Human rights in Kosovo and Sierra Leonne. Before Blair, no one talked the language of Humanitarian intervention.

And in regards to Lebennon. If the IRA was firing rockets into Belfast from across the border, I would see it as paramount for Gov. to act. Especially if they were being supplied and financed by our mortal enemy, as Iran is to Israel.