David Lammy launches future of a Labour government's approach to foreign policy

“Labour will make foreign policy choices with working people at the forefront of our minds” – David Lammy launches Fabian Society pamphlet detailing overhaul of the FCDO to retool it for the economic and security challenges of the future in the most in depth look yet at a future Labour government's approach to foreign policy.

The pamphlet, titled “Britain Reconnected: A Foreign Policy for Security and Prosperity at Home,” draws a clear line between increased geopolitical insecurity in a newly divided world and the insecurity Britons are experiencing at home in rocketing energy bills, rising costs on supermarket shelves and increased threats from hostile states like Russia and Iran on British streets.  

David Lammy argues a reset to British foreign policy is needed after 13 years of Conservative governments put “short-term party-political interests over long-term strategy … undermined the UK’s relationships around the world … and degraded the tools of British influence.”

The Shadow Foreign Secretary explores in depth the five goals of British foreign policy under a future Labour government that will form the basis of a new mission statement for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: prosperity, security, tackling the climate crisis, international development and diplomacy.

Retooling the Foreign Office to increase the UK’s prosperity, Lammy says Britain's network of diplomats must be used to seek exemptions to the US’ inflation reduction act subsidies, announce that a Labour government will establish a supply chain working group within the G7 and create a global supply chain commission in the United Kingdom, take a “new approach to trade with Europe that recognises the damage that has been done by the Conservatives’ bad Brexit deal” while remaining outside of the EU single market and customs union, as well as forging in trade and investment with Africa, “recognizing the continent's enormous potential and the fact that by 2050, one in four people will be from the continent.” He says:

“The Conservatives have failed to modernise the diplomatic service in the way that is necessary for Britain to navigate the challenges of the future. The FCDO lacks sufficient economic and industrial expertise necessary to navigate the challenges of the modern global economy, whether it be the regulation of emerging technologies, or the race to secure the supply of rare earth elements. Contrast this with France, where the Quai D'Orsay, the French foreign ministry, is receiving an increasing budget, and expanding its number of diplomats.”

“We need an FCDO equipped for the challenges of the future, retooled and re-equipped for a new era of geo-economics, disinformation, and technological changes, driven by sustainable growth in the UK and accelerating our transition into a green superpower. This requires more work with open-source intelligence, more technical knowledge in fast-moving technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, and a more agile, digitally enabled set of tools to influence our friends and adversaries alike.”

To protect UK security from threats posed by hostile states like Russia and Iran, Lammy will announce a new joint FCDO-Home Office State Threats Cell. This cell will work in partnership with intelligence and security agencies to assess state threats, disrupt hostile actors, improve resilience in both government and the private sector, coordinate with international partners and include new frameworks to protect democracies from interference and misinformation. He says:

“In today's world, tanks, planes, and ships matter as much as they ever have. However, traditional tools of warfare are just the tip of a much larger security iceberg. Modern conflicts are being waged through manipulating energy prices, using critical technologies or resources as bargaining chips, launching cyberattacks and spreading misinformation, and detaining foreign nationals.

“These threats often exist in the grey zone, blurring the lines between peace and war. We need a coordinated response to counter modern state threats.”

Lammy will re-affirm Labour’s ‘unshakeable commitment to NATO’, its support for Ukraine ‘until it prevails’, its support for Aukus and its intention to seek a new UK-EU security pact.

Lammy will also commit to using the FCDO’s network of diplomats to give Labour’s  Green Prosperity Plan an "international component dedicated to building diplomatic, commercial and scientific alliances to ensure that we are focussing and amplifying Britain’s strengths” as well as pushing for a clean power alliance of developed and developing nations committed to 100 per cent clean power by 2030. He will warn of the disastrous domestic affects of the climate crisis on the UK if global action is not taken, warning of the vast swathes of the UK that risk being submerged by rising sea levels:

“Domestic action to reach net zero is vital, but we know the climate crisis will never be solved in Britain alone. The UK is the world’s 18th biggest emitter, with a carbon footprint only a fraction of countries like China, the US, India, Russia and Japan. It is vital we lead by example in the race to net zero, but also that we focus our diplomatic efforts on reducing the emissions of our partners around the world.”

On international development, Lammy argues that a fresh approach and a new model based on genuine partnership, not paternalism, is needed. He says:

“Labour made Britain a world leader in development before and we can do it again. But our approach to development must also evolve with the world we are living in.  We must be realistic about the role and contribution of Western donors. Development finance and policy are vital but they are not the only – or indeed the main driver – of global economic development.  

“Our approach must be sensitive to the criticisms of aid as patronising or paternalistic, and build instead modern relations of equals, two-way partnerships based on respect and mutual trust.”  

Lammy uses his and Labour leader Keir’s Starmer’s careers as lawyers as the basis for Labour’s commitment to the rule of law, modernising international institutions, and restoring Britain’s soft power. He says:

“Undermining international law runs counter to Britain's interests. It damages our moral authority and political credibility. It makes us appear unreliable and untrustworthy, making future agreements more challenging to reach. In doing so, it serves the interests of authoritarians and dictators who seek to weaken the rule of law.

“With Keir Starmer KC as prime minister, the Labour government will be a leading advocate of the rule of law, promoting London’s role as the centre of the global legal community and supporting international legal institutions like the ICC.”

“Refocusing Britain on the rule of law and modernising the international institutions the world order is built on is valuable in itself, but it will also help restore Britain’s soft power.

“Global Britain was an empty slogan, which the government has spent seven years failing to explain or deliver. Labour believes it does not have to be this way. The UK is home to cutting-edge technology and services, world-leading universities, vibrant cultural industries, and unparalleled global connections. With the right priorities, the right partnerships, and the right values, Britain can, and will, thrive.”