27 April 2021

'Best for Britain'


'Best for Britain'

Naomi Smith

Best for Britain relaunched itself on Monday 26th April 2021 as a permanent, pro-active, voice advocating an internationalist stance in support of Britain’s best interests. Internationalist patriotism seeks to promote Britain's position in trade, research, openness, democracy, and justice. Britain should aim to be world leading, rather than world beating. By asking the right questions, the new 'Best for Britain' survey makes clear that British people inherently favour inter-national co-operation on issues like climate, science, poverty, communications and trade. 

    Naomi Smith welcomed the following distinguished speakers.

 

Emily Thornberry

We must recognise 3 truths. [1] We are moving on from Brexit and the question of the Customs Union and Single Market; [2] we must now clarify our own priorities, and establish our own standards, and must not lower those; [3] we must seek to facilitate our trade with Europe, for Europe remains our nearest and most important trading partner.


Sir Peter Westmacott

Four points. [1] One lesson to learn from the parallel between the USA and the UK in the last 4 years of Trump/Brexit is that there is work to do on the “home front”; work on stagnant salaries, anger and alienation. [2] We must not overlook, relinquish or jeopardise our existing global status. [3] We must keep working with allies and potential allies on climate, cybercrime, and issues such as China, G7 and COP26. [4] We must not overlook the international importance of the Good Friday Agreement, and peace in Northern Ireland.


Sir David Lidington

Britain’s best interests in this Post-USA era all point to an international stance. This clearly applies to COVID, climate-change, and crime; but also in regard to incorporating Asian countries into the G7 (making perhaps a D10), and helping Africa. It was a wake-up call to learn how dependent we had become on Chinese technologies; we must collaborate better with our European allies.  

  

Caroline Lucas

Global co-operation matters, and this must be stated, for it cannot be assumed. We should ask ourselves the question: How do we want Britain to be viewed by others? Not only in terms of aircraft-carriers, surely!  Under the heading of the Climate and Nature Emergency, what about three tests of true leadership:

[1] Justice, (facing up to our historic role and responsibilities).

[2] Coherence of policy, so not cutting aid while posturing on carbon emissions. 

[3] Climate realism; are we moving fast enough; target not 2050 but 2030?

Similarly with regard to trade, should we not hope to be good citizens, and aim for respect in our pursuit of justice and ethical standards? We should uphold existing obligations, but also recognise new obligations, and define new crimes such as Ecocide

Ian West  (27th April 2021)


(Please feel free to comment directly to me at  cawstein@gmail.com)


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