While much uncertainty still surrounds the current swine flu outbreak,
the episode does highlight the importance of key values and policies
the Labour Party has long championed. Foremost, the pandemic reconfirms
the interconnected nature of our global society. Countries, and their
own peculiar problems, do not exist in isolation from the rest of the
world. Consequently, international institutions able to coordinate
action, share information, and make collective decisions are vital for
protecting humanity from threats ranging from influenza to climate
change. We are fortunate that this outbreak comes in the aftermath of
the SARS and avian flu scares; as a result, frameworks for cooperation
already exist and function. Disengagement and isolationism, be they
from the European Union or any number of bodies, would stifle such
frameworks' effectiveness in crises. Time is of the essence, as the
tragic deaths in Mexico demonstrate. If Britain were forced to
cooperate internationally on an ad hoc basis, a Tory goal in
relation to Europe especially, we would lack the means necessary to
address and prepare for collective threats before they develop. Dealing with problems after they arise, outside of functioning international bodies, is simply not an option.
This government has placed global solidarity at the forefront of
its foreign policy. David Miliband, addressing a Fabian audience at
last year's party conference, stressed the importance of a progressive
values-based foreign policy that seeks to alleviate poverty and
underdevelopment worldwide. He reminded that cutting global poverty is
good in its own right, while also serving to make Britain more secure.
Problems that start in the developing world do not end there, even
piggybacking on holidaymakers' flights home. Hopefully, the swine flu
outbreak will also remind us of unfortunate realities. While thousands
of deaths from malaria go daily unnoticed by many in wealthy countries,
swine flu gets our attention for its direct threat to us, even if it
will probably disproportionately impact poor countries. Death from
pandemic disease may be a nightmare prospect for Britons; for millions
of people worldwide it is merely a fact of life. Strong government
commitment to cutting global poverty by working bilaterally, through
the aid 'powerhouse' of the EU, and via the UN and its Millennium
Development Goals, is an ethical mandate and a pragmatic necessity. The
government is to be commended for its stance, which serves to
strengthen British and global security and well-being. If this outbreak
teaches us anything, it should be that these commitments cannot lag
whatever the political vicissitudes of the day.