‘Liberal conservative’ Cameron outlines foreign policy
David Cameron has warned against anti-American sentiment, but advised a more rational foreign policy is needed.
Speaking on the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, the Conservative leader also stressed that he is a “liberal conservative” and not a “neo-conservative”, distancing himself from George Bush’s administration.
“Anti-Americanism represents an intellectual and moral surrender. It is a complacent cowardice born of resentment of success and a desire for the world’s problems simply to go away,” he said.
Mr Cameron argued “strategic and security interests” had been challenged in the five years since 9/11, making it even more important for Britain to protect its natural allegiance with the US.
This will involve “developing with America a tough and effective foreign policy for the age of international terrorism: a policy that moves beyond neo conservatism, retaining its strengths but learning from its failures”, he claimed.
Referring to “the special relationship with America”, Mr Cameron insisted that the Tories “feel it, understand it and believe in it”, stressing: “We believe in that alliance for emotional, historical and rational reasons.”
Although he will condemn anti-Americanism, Mr Cameron will urge governments to approach foreign policy more rationally – with more humility and patience than in recent years – rather than seeing things in black and white.
A more realistic approach is needed, he said, adding that the “easy soundbites we have grown used to in recent years” represent “the failing of all foreign policy designed to fit into a headline”.
“They were unrealistic and simplistic,” he said.
“They represented a view which sees only light and darkness in the world and which believes that one can be turned to the other as simply as flicking a switch.”
Mr Cameron’s comments came as the former prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, insisted at a 9/11 memorial service in Washington that the fight against terrorism must continue.
“We must not falter. We must not fail,” Mrs Thatcher said, urging that the UK stand alongside the US “in the front line against Islamist fanatics who hate our beliefs, our liberties and our citizens”.
Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats noted that the Tories may be criticising foreign policy now, but had failed to speak out during the Iraq war or the Lebanon crisis.
“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,” Lib Dem leader Menzies Campbell said.
“It is a great pity that Mr Cameron and his party were not prepared to join the Liberal Democrats in making similar comments during the invasion of Iraq or the crisis in Lebanon.”
The Lib Dems also insisted that the only way to prevent further terrorist atrocities was to follow UN advice and stick to the rule of law.
Speaking about the conduct of the ‘war on terror’, Mr Campbell said: “I remain firmly convinced that concerted international action based upon the rule of law and in the name of the UN remains our best defence.”
Mr Cameron’s comments were delivered as part of an annual JP Morgan lecture by the British American Project’s (BAP), which aims to strengthen relations between the UK and the US.
