British leadership in a volatile world delivers results for working people at home, PM to say in annual Guildhall speech

·       Annual foreign policy speech will reflect how putting UK back on the map is making the country safer and better off

·       The PM will illustrate his approach to China and how pragmatic engagement underpinned by strong national security is squarely in the national interest, rejecting false isolationist arguments

·       On the EU, he will be clear that we must make our relationship with the EU work for British people

Putting our international engagement to work to navigate volatile times, show leadership and secure our national interests will be at the centre of the Prime Minister's annual foreign policy speech in the City of London this evening (Monday 1 December).  

The Prime Minister continues to put domestic delivery at the heart of his work on the world stage, and he will set out his opposition to those who respond to global instability by looking inward. Under his leadership, he will say, the UK's foreign policy brings UK interests, UK values and UK convictions to the fore.

He will reflect on achievements over the last eighteen months that have restored Britain's place on the world stage and delivered for working people at home: world-first trade deals, security and migration treaties with our closest neighbours and billions in commercial contracts which support our defence industry and create good quality jobs across the country – making Britain safer and better off in the long term.

Looking ahead to the global challenges facing the UK and our allies, he will say:

“At these times of profound instability, conflict and change, I want to talk about how we use our international work to navigate these times, to lead, and secure our national interests.”

China

The government's approach to the rise of China will be central to the Prime Minister's foreign policy approach – an issue which he will argue carries more consequence for the lives of British people than any other global shift. To navigate this reality, the Prime Minister will set out how his government will continue to be tough on national security in order to enable us to pursue economic opportunities. He will say:

“[China] is a nation of immense scale, ambition and ingenuity. A defining force in technology, trade and global governance. At the same time it also poses national security threats to the UK. 

“The UK needs a China policy that recognises this reality. Instead, for years we have blown hot and cold. 

“We had the golden age, which then flipped to an Ice Age. We reject that binary choice. 

“So our response will not be driven by fear, nor softened by illusion. It will be grounded in strength, clarity and sober realism.” 

Describing the absence of engagement with the world's second biggest economy as “staggering” and “a dereliction of duty”, the Prime Minister will outline his government's considered and grown-up approach, saying:

“This is not a question of balancing economic and security considerations. We don't trade off security in one area, for a bit more economic access somewhere else. 

“Protecting our security is non-negotiable - our first duty. But by taking tough steps to keep us secure, we enable ourselves to cooperate in other areas.”

In order to help British business to win their share of the opportunity, the Prime Minister will set out more detail on how the government is delivering predictability for the long-term.

He will say:

“We're absolutely clear that when it comes, for example, to defence, AI or our critical national infrastructure, we will always protect our security and our economic interests.

“But we're also clear that in areas where there is no significant risk, we are going to give businesses the confidence, clarity and support they need to win these opportunities, with all the necessary mitigations in place.

“So in areas like financial and professional services, creative industries, pharmaceuticals, luxury goods and more - Great British success stories –  the export opportunities are huge and we will back you to seize them.”

Brexit

Reflecting on the approach that has undermined the UK's global leadership in the past, and which this government has successfully overcome, the Prime Minister will say:

“The Brexit vote was a fair, democratic expression, and I will always respect that. 

“But how it was sold and delivered was simply wrong. Wild promises were made to the British people and not fulfilled. We are still dealing with the consequences today.” 

He will go on to set out how this government's approach has turned this around:

“We delivered the biggest shift in British foreign policy since Brexit. A decisive move to face outward again. And build our power, both hard and soft, which had been so neglected and damaged. 

“To reassert our national interest on the world stage, and deliver jobs, growth and security for the British people.”

The Prime Minister will also set out how the  “corrosive, inward-looking attitude” peddled by those who propose choosing between our allies, leaving the ECHR or even leaving NATO will only take Britain backwards. He will say:

“It offers grievance rather than hope. A declinist vision of a lesser Britain – not a Great Britain.

“Moreover, it is a fatal misreading of the moment. Ducking the fundamental challenge posed by a chaotic world - a world which is more dangerous and unstable than at any point for a generation. Where international events reach directly into our lives, whether we like it or not.” 

He will close by emphasising that strength on the world stage is the only way to deliver for Britain in a volatile world, saying:

“In these times, we deliver for Britain by looking outward with renewed purpose and pride. Not by shrinking back. In these times, internationalism is patriotism.”