Global Britain: UKs place in the world.

The Prime Minister has announced that the UK will overhaul its approach to foreign policy through a new government-wide review.

The Government has committed to hold the largest review of the UK’s foreign, defence, security and development policy since the end of the Cold War. This Integrated Review will cover all aspects of the UK’s place in the world, from the role of our diplomatic service and approach to development to the capabilities of our Armed Forces and security agencies.

As part of this review the Government will utilise expertise from both inside and outside government for the review, ensuring the UK’s best foreign policy minds are feeding into its conclusions and offering constructive challenge to traditional Whitehall assumptions and thinking.

The UK’s departure from the EU presents new opportunities to define and strengthen Britain’s place in the world at a time when the global landscape is changing dramatically.

The remit of the review, set out for the first time this week, is to:

·        define the Government’s ambition for the UK’s role in the world and the long-term strategic aims for our national security and foreign policy

·        set out the way in which the UK will be a problem-solving and burden-sharing nation, examining how we work more effectively with our allies

·        determine the capabilities we need for the next decade and beyond to pursue our objectives and address the risks and threats we face

·        identify the necessary reforms to Government systems and structures to achieve these goals

Launching this full-scale review, the Prime Minister commented: “As the world changes we must move with it – harnessing new technologies and ways of thinking to ensure British foreign policy is rooted firmly in our national interests, now and in the decades ahead”.

I believe our country’s best days are ahead of us. As the MP for Norwich North I share the Prime Minister’s optimistic and dynamic vision for the future of our country and I will be working hard in Parliament to ensure Norwich is at the front of a dynamic global Britain.