Hague: The previous government failed to exercise British influence in the EU
Foreign secretary William Hague comments on foreign policy:
“It is mystifying to us that the previous government failed to give due weight to the exercise of British influence in the EU.
“They neglected to ensure that sufficient numbers of bright British officials entered EU institutions, and so we now face a generation gap developing in the British presence in parts of the EU.
“As a new government, we are determined to put this right.
“In recent years, Britain’s approach to building relationships with new and emerging powers has been ad hoc and patchy, giving rise to the frequent complaint from such governments that British ministers only get in touch when a crisis arises or a crucial vote is needed.
“This weakens our ability to forge agreement on difficult issues affecting the lives of millions around the world and overlooks the importance of consistency and personal relationships in the conduct of foreign policy.
“Our new government’s vision for foreign affairs is this: A distinctive British foreign policy that is active in Europe and across the world; that builds up British engagement in the parts of the globe where opportunities as well as threats increasingly lie; that is at ease within a networked world and harnesses the full potential of our cultural links, and that that promotes our national interest while recognising that this cannot be narrowly or selfishly defined.
“Conducting the foreign policy of the United Kingdom is not just about making the right decisions on issues that affect us now, but laying the foundations for good decisions for many years to come.”
