David Lammy's Chatham House speech sets out Labour's plan to "reset" UK foreign policy

David Lammy's Chatham House speech sets out Labour's plan to "reset" UK foreign policy to create a "Britain Reconnected, for Security and Prosperity at Home"

In a speech to Chatham House today (Tuesday, 24 January), David Lammy MP, Labour's Shadow Foreign Secretary, will lay out the next Labour government's plans to "reset" the UK's foreign policy.

In the speech, Lammy will argue that the "blurring of the distinction between foreign and domestic challenges" means that foreign policy "has never been more important for working people's lives".

But he will argue that "poor leadership, bad choices and institutional dysfunction" in the Conservative Government has left Britain increasingly disconnected from the allies and partners it needs to work with to address the challenges of the modern world.

Lammy will announce that, in power, Labour will produce a mission statement for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, founded on five goals that will give the department "the clarity of purpose it currently lacks" to deliver for the British people.

Together, they will form the next Labour government's contract with the British public on foreign policy: creating a "Britain Reconnected, for Security and Prosperity at Home".

Labour's policy proposals within each of the five goals include:

1. A Britain Reconnected to defend the UK's Security – with strong armed forces and resilience against 21st century threats.

• Seek a new UK-EU security pact, to complement Labour's unshakeable commitment to NATO, and seek new cooperation across foreign policy through regular EU/UK summits and structured dialogue to tackle Europe's shared threats in areas like cyber, energy security and organised crime.

• A new Joint FCDO-Home Office State Threats Cell working in partnership with the intelligence and security agencies to assess hybrid threats, challenge hostile actors, improve resilience in both government and the private sector, and coordinate with international partners.

• Joining calls from US Senators for the United States, Britain and the European Union to join forces to create a new Transatlantic Anti-Corruption Council.

2. A Britain Reconnected to champion the UK's Prosperity – and lead the industries of the future.

• Boosting trade, restoring cooperation on science and research in the UK, and repairing relations with the EU while remaining outside of the Single Market and the Customs Union. This will be achieved by fixing the Northern Ireland Protocol, reducing friction on food, agricultural, medical and veterinary goods, strengthening recognition of professional standards and qualifications, unblocking participation in the Horizon scheme and improving links between our students and universities.

• Ensuring Britain leads the way in the industries of the future, through Labour's £28 billionGreen Prosperity Plan, and publishing a strategy on global supply chains within the first parliamentary session.

• Driving up trade across the UK and harnessing the power of Labour's Green Prosperity Plan, to fuel exports and growth. Labour will build global alliances and partnerships, strike deals that deliver jobs and opportunity at home, while promoting prosperity and fairness around the world.

3. A Britain Reconnected for Climate Action – turning our response into an engine of growth.

• Pushing for climate action to become a fourth pillar of the United Nations.

• Forming a Clean Power Alliance, an 'Inverse OPEC' of developed and developing nations committed to 100% clean power by 2030. 

• Working with allies and partners to create a new international law of ecocide to criminalise the wanton and widespread destruction of the environment.

4. A Britain Reconnected for International Development – helping to promote the UK's security, health and jobs in the process.

• A new approach to international development based on partnership, not just aid, to build links and growth to benefit both the developing world and the UK.

• A new model for delivery, restoring expertise, rebuilding the UK's reputation and recognising that development and diplomacy are related but distinct.

• Legislating to make sure that, as a priority, Britain's aid budget helps address climate change.

5. A Britain Reconnected for Diplomacy – to re-establish the UK as a trusted, reliable and influential partner while protecting Britons abroad.

• By reforming the FCDO around its new mission statement, and retooling it to address future challenges, from space and cyber governance to artificial intelligence, automation and biotech.

• Restoring Britain's soft power, and protecting the role of the BBC World Service and British Council.

• Legislating for a new legal right to consular protection to protect Britons abroad.

• Beginning a diplomatic push to reform multilateral institutions, including an open-ended campaign to reform the UN Security Council in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

In the speech, David Lammy MP, Labour's Shadow Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Secretary, is expected to say:

"Foreign policy has never been so important in shaping the daily lives of people in Britain. At no point has national success been so tied to the forces of global change. 

"But ideological leadership and reckless choices have left Britain increasingly disconnected from its closest allies, an economy in crisis and a tarnished international reputation. A failure to clearly define the goals of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office around modern challenges leave the UK ill-equipped to face the future.

"It doesn't have to be this way. The UK is home to cutting edge technology and services, world-leading universities, vibrant cultural industries, and it has the potential for unparalleled global connections. 

"Labour will reset our foreign policy to create a Britain Reconnected, for security and prosperity at home. With the right priorities, the right partnerships and the right values, Britain can, and will, thrive."

Ends

Note to editors:

• David Lammy will deliver the speech on Tuesday, 24 January at 12pm at Chatham House. It will be followed by a Q&A hosted by the Director and Chief Executive of Chatham House, Bronwen Maddox.