Foreign policy is above all about the protection and promotion of our national interest, and will be crucial in charting Britain’s path out of recession. It is in our national interest to promote free trade and sound development aid, and to work with other members of the UN Security Council to see that international law is respected and upheld. Above all, it is in our national interest to renew and reinforce our engagement with the rest of the world.
A Conservative government’s approach to foreign affairs will be based on liberal Conservative principles. Liberal, because Britain must be open and engaged with the world, supporting human rights and championing the cause of democracy and the rule of law at every opportunity. But Conservative, because our policy must be hard-headed and practical, dealing with the world as it is and not as we wish it were.
In order to achieve that goal we have adopted five major themes to guide our approach to foreign affairs. These are:
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The creation of a National Security Council to integrate at the highest levels of government the work of our foreign, defence, energy, home and international development departments.
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A commitment to the transatlantic alliance, which is as necessary in 2010 as ever in order to bring success in May at the review conference of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and to deter and dissuade Iran from the final development of nuclear weapons.
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The deepening of alliances beyond Europe and North America, including a strong and effective relationship with China. We also want to enhance what David Cameron has called a ‘new special relationship’ with India, to provide support for Pakistan, and to strengthen our ties with nations in the Gulf, North Africa and Latin America.
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The reform of older international institutions such as the United Nations and the effective use of new ones such as the G20.
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A determination to uphold our own values abroad, not by imposing them on others but by being an inspiring example of them ourselves. We know that Britain is safer and stronger when our values are strongly upheld and widely respected in the world. That is why we must strive to act with moral authority in our foreign policy.