Centre Write Spring 2018

GlobalGlobal giant? giant

Tom Tugendhat MP | Baroness Helic | Lord Heseltine | Shanker Singham 2

Contents

EDITORIAL A FORCE FOR GOOD? Editor’s note Was and is the UK a force for good Laura Round 4 in the world? Director’s note MP and Joseph Harker 11 Ryan Shorthouse 5 The home of human rights Letters to the editor 6 Sir Michael Tugendhat 13 The end of human rights in ? FREE TRADING NATION Benedict Rogers 14 A global leader in free trade? Aid to our advantage Shanker Singham 7 The Rt Hon MP 16 Compass towards the Commonwealth #MeToo on the front line Sir Lockwood Smith 8 Chloe Dalton and Baroness Helic 17 Theresa’s Irish trilemma Constitutional crisis? John Springford 10 Professor Vernon Bogdanor 18

Page 7 Shanker Singham examines the future of UK trade after

Clem Onojeghuo

Bright Blue is an independent think tank and pressure group Page 21 The Centre Write for liberal conservatism. interview: MP

Director: Ryan Shorthouse Chair: Matthew d’Ancona Board of Directors: Rachel Johnson, Alexandra Jezeph, Diane Banks, Phil Clarke & Richard Mabey

Editor: Laura Round brightblue.org.uk Print: Aquatint | aquatint.co.uk Matthew Plummer Design: Chris Solomons CONTENTS 3

Emergency first responder A record to be proud of Strongly soft Theo Clarke 20 Eamonn Ives 30 MP 38

THE CENTRE WRITE INTERVIEW: DEFENCE OF THE REALM TEA FOR TWO Tom Tugendhat MP 21 Acting in Alliance with Lord Heseltine Peter Quentin 31 Laura Round 39 BRIGHT BLUE POLITICS The relevance of our Why I’m a Bright Blue MP deterrence CULTURE The Rt Hon Anna Soubry MP 24 The Rt Hon MP 32 Film: Darkest Hour Research overview Fighting fit Phillip Box 41 Sam Hall 24 James Wharton 33 The future of war: A history Tamworth Prize winner 2017 Jihadis and justice (Sir Lawrence Freedman) David Verghese 26 Dr Julia Rushchenko 34 Ryan Shorthouse 42 Transparent diplomacy Sticking with the deal Exhibition: Impressionists in James Dobson 28 Nick King 36 Eamonn Ives 43

Page 17 #MeToo on the front line. Chloe Dalton and Baroness Helic have a plan.

Africa Renewal – ID4D

Page11 Is Britain a force for Page 39 good? Kwasi Kwarteng MP Tea for two with and Joseph Harker debate Lord Heseltine Christian Ferrer Florian Pérennès EDITORIAL 4

Laura Round is the Editor’s note Editor of Centre Write and Communications Manager at Bright Blue

eaving the will significantly change Secretary of State for International Development, the Rt Hon Britain’s place in the world. The Government claims Brexit Andrew Mitchell MP (p.16), defends British aid, arguing that it is L will create a truly ‘Global Britain’, championing free trade. effective and transformational public expenditure. Recently, however, the Foreign Affairs Select Committee criticised Former special advisers to William Hague when he was Foreign the Government for lacking a clear strategy and the funding for Secretary, Baroness Helic and Chloe Dalton (p.17), urge the Britain’s post-Brexit foreign policy. Government to build on the UK leadership they developed when in This edition of Centre Write takes a deeper look at the Coalition Government on tackling sexual violence against women. opportunities and challenges facing a freshly divorced Britain. They warn that the case for doing so is even more urgent today, Britain is the home of both free trade and human rights, due to the horrific rape and sexual slavery carried out in Syria and which are both essential for our prosperity and security. When Burma in particular. we leave the EU, the Government should ensure that Britain remains a global leader of both. The summit of leaders of the “The summit of leaders of the Commonwealth, taking place in April this year in Windsor, is Commonwealth, taking place in April this an opportunity to remind the world of both our values and our year in Windsor, is an opportunity to remind strengths through this historical alliance. As the former High the world of both our values and our Commissioner of New Zealand to the UK – Sir Lockwood Smith strengths through this historical alliance.” (p.8) – points out, the UK has the opportunity to “electrify that powerhouse”. An increasingly belligerent Russia is focusing minds on the The future of trade is currently the central issue of the Brexit resources and capabilities of Britain’s defence. Former soldier and negotiations. Shanker Singham (p.7), now at the Institute of now author, James Wharton (p.33), looks at the ways we can Economic Affairs, highlights the opportunities after Brexit. But the attract and retain more people in the army. Dr Julia Rushchenko Centre for European Reform’s deputy director, John Springford (p.34), from the Henry Jackson Society, explains that this country (p.10), explains the complications around the Irish border. Former can continue its role as a world leader in combating terrorism and Deputy Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Lord Heseltine (p.39), organised crime. chats over tea about why he is concerned Brexit is damaging our Historically, Britain has been successful in wielding both hard reputation abroad. and soft power. It is a nuclear power with a permanent seat on The increasingly high-profile Chair of the Foreign Affairs the UN Security Council. But it has also vast cultural influence Select Committee, Tom Tugendhat MP (p.21), sets out what he across the globe, especially because of our institutions such as believes the priorities for British foreign policy should be. In this universities and the BBC, as well as the widespread use of the edition’s interview, he discusses – among other topics – the future English language. Damian Collins MP (p.38), who chairs the of NATO and the Magnitsky Act. Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, writes that Britain enjoys an impressive reputation worldwide for our soft power is more important than ever and should not be thought aid spending and projects. However, some are lobbying the of as a secondary issue. Government to revoke its legal commitment to spend 0.7% of I hope this edition serves to provide fresh ideas to secure Gross National Income on international development. Former Britain’s place, post-Brexit, as a global giant. EDITORIAL 5

and – through the signing of the European resources such as our military capability, Director’s note Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and aid budget, diplomatic and intelligence decolonisation in the 1950s – spread them services, institutions such as the BBC to the Continent and the Commonwealth. and universities, and UK settlement and Brexit could be an opportunity for sanctuary. Ryan Shorthouse is the Britain to assert itself as a global leader Each of these critical resources need Director of Bright Blue not only in free trade, as the Prime Minister to have, post-Brexit, sufficient support, has argued, but human rights too. These funding and reforms to maximise our should be central pillars of Britain’s national interest. post-Brexit foreign policy, since they are Not maintaining spending commitments he focus of Bright Blue’s work is vital to Britain’s – as well as the world’s – to our aid or military budgets, for instance, beyond Brexit, generating policy prosperity and security. would be a serious mistake. As would T ideas to ensure Britain is “a secure, The terms of the recently agreed not reforming our immigration system to prosperous, tolerant country”, in the words transition agreement between the EU ensure talented students, workers and of the Prime Minister, after we leave the and UK were unsurprising: membership investors are not deterred from coming to European Union. of the EU Single Market and Customs our country. In particular, we agree wholeheartedly Union requiring the jurisdiction of the Bright Blue has plenty of other ideas that the UK should be “a country that European Court of Justice. But Brexiteers for the Government’s ‘Global Britain’ goes out into the world to build were happy with one win: the ability to agenda, published last year in our Britain relationships with old friends and new begin negotiating and signing trade deals breaking barriers report. The Department allies alike”. with different countries. This essential for International Development should The Government talks of a ‘Global but gigantic task, frankly, requires greater match the funding provided by the Foreign Britain’, free from some of the constraints expertise and more realistic expectations. Office for the Magna Carta Fund, which of EU membership, such as on regulation It is paramount that, when forging new supports organisations in other countries and trade deals. But, as the Foreign Affairs deals, standards are not sacrificed for improve human rights. This country should Select Committee recently warned, there quick wins. The sprightly Environment increase its financial contributions to the is currently no clear strategy or funding for Secretary has been making the right International Criminal Court. We should this vision. Time to flesh it out. noises, insisting that the regulations remain a proud signatory and champion The starting point should be two around the natural environment and animal of the European Convention on Human important ideas that this country has welfare will, if anything, be strengthened Rights. Finally, in the ongoing Brexit exported to the rest of the world: free trade once we leave the EU. Three quarters of all negotiations, Britain should offer – on a and human rights. the world’s trade deals, according to the conditional basis – continued funding of Adam Smith and David Ricardo are WTO, have human rights provisions; we the European Development Fund. generally viewed as the economists who should ensure our deals, where possible, first conceptualised and championed free include obligations to improve human “The starting point should trade, which Britain – especially after the rights in the partner countries. be two important ideas repeal of the Corn Laws – vociferously Britain has powerful levers we can that this country has promoted and prospered from as ‘the pull to influence internationally. We exported to the rest of workshop of the world’ in the nineteenth have vital memberships and resources the world: free trade and century. that need to be used strategically and human rights.” Former High Court judge Sir Michael comprehensively in the years ahead. Tugendhat, in a paper for us last year There’s our membership of the G7, NATO, To make ‘Global Britain’ an ongoing and in an article for this magazine, writes the Commonwealth and, perhaps most reality, the government needs to give that Britain gradually developed human importantly, the UN Security Council. plentiful thinking, planning and resources rights since the Magna Carta in 1215, And we have numerous and respected for life beyond Brexit. EDITORIAL 6

Letters to the editor

Send your letters to [email protected]

As articulated in the interview with the Rt Hon MP, there is no doubt that the Conservative Party should be the natural home of those who work within the arts and the creative industries (‘Exhibition: Rachel Whiteread’, Autumn 2017). Although sometimes these sectors can feel like the natural domain of the Left, as the party of Government the Conservative Party have a record to be proud of, and a record about which it should shout louder. Support for the arts may, during tougher times, seem difficult to justify. However, the results often speak for themselves. The creative industries are our fastest growing sector, contributing over £90 billion annually to the UK economy. It is therefore essential that we continue to support creative talent across the country, and make sure that the fruits of these sectors are open for everyone to enjoy. This is all the more important as we leave the EU. Due to I was delighted to read in the last edition of this magazine Sam l’exception culturelle, the creative industries are at real risk Hall correctly, and eloquently, highlighting the environment being under a ‘no deal’ scenario. They will prove difficult to include higher on the Conservative Party’s agenda and its strong track within a trade agreement. Therefore, bespoke and innovative record on this issue (‘A big splash of green’, Autumn 2017). solutions will need to be found. We should all welcome the There is now a focus of incorporating the environment Prime Minister’s recent acknowledgement of this, as it is into different areas of domestic and international policy. The essential that the Government and the EU “explore creative challenge the Conservative Party now faces is cementing this options with an open mind” so that the UK can continue to agenda amongst its members and supporters. lead the world as a creative hub.

Robert Lingard member of Bright Blue Jack Walker member of Bright Blue

Kate Maltby is right to warn of the dangers of socialism an­­­­­d argue that we need to remake the case of capitalism (‘Beware Corbyn’, Autumn 2017). Firstly, a more full-throated defence of capitalism from our politicians is needed. Secondly, alongside elites making the case for free enterprise, we need to engage with networks and communities. We trust our peers more than we trust institutions. This means mobilising the tens of thousands of small business owners and the millions of people that rely on free enterprise for work and financial security. It means igniting the people around us to make the case as well. In doing so, we might just be able to make the case for capitalism and ensure socialism remains consigned to history.

James Boyd-Wallis member of Bright Blue FREE TRADING NATION 7

Shanker Singham is the A global leader in free trade? Director of the International Trade and Competition Unit at the Institute of Shanker Singham explores the future of UK trade after leaving the Economic Affairs European Union

he is doing two things in trade policy terms. First, T we are leaving the European Union. Second, we are embracing the rest of the world. We must do both of these things well. I fully acknowledge that this will not be an easy journey, but the fact that it is difficult does not mean it is impossible. The global trading system is in crisis. We have had no serious global round for 23 years, about a third of the lifetime of the post-war economic architecture. In 1997, Playing our part – as a trading nation to comply with for ease. In agriculture, the you would have been quite optimistic – we should play a role in improving global ferocious interpretation of the precautionary looking out at future services’ liberalisation, economic governance by contributing to principle has thwarted new technologies, having just concluded a basic telecoms structural reform and the elimination of and prevented non-EU firms from reaching agreement, with financial and energy barriers and distortions. the EU market, including the UK. This is services up next, including disciplines on The challenge is to define what trade wealth-destructive, and increases prices domestic regulation and competition. policy would achieve such goals and for consumers. But the subsequent 20 years yielded how we can maximise the benefits while Regulatory autonomy does not mean virtually nothing in terms of concrete minimising the disruptions. For business, massive deregulation. It means better liberalisation. This is one of the reasons the critical question is what you want regulation – the kind that delivers benefits that global trade plateaued in 2015 the world to look like, not just the EU-UK for consumers, and firms, and is not unduly according to the Global Trade Alert of the part of the supply chain. The entrenched burdensome and costly. It also means University of St. Gallen, and why regulatory incumbent forces of business and being free to reduce our own tariffs where protectionism has massively increased managers of the UK-EU supply chain will it makes sense in order to give consumers since the financial crisis. not want much change. But government the benefit of cheaper products and more must speak not only for incumbents, choice. This is particularly important for the “The EU’s opening bids are but also for small businesses, for future poorest among us. always well beyond their businesses, and for consumers. I believe Second, we need to have a close bottom line.” we need to build this trade policy on four relationship with the EU – a comprehensive pillars which must be built concurrently. free trade agreement that will cover goods Let me start by setting out three First, we can do a lot unilaterally. Britain and services, and will also cover regulatory objectives that I believe our trade policy needs the autonomy to be able to improve issues including recognition. It is not a must satisfy: i) Improving our own domestic its regulatory and trading environment, binary choice here as it is often portrayed. economy – the ability to improve our given that the EU is no longer a force for I believe that the EU and UK can and will own domestic regulatory and trading global liberalisation. We have only to look come to such an agreement. environment; ii) Improving our trade at the possibility of REACH-style regulation Why do I believe this is possible? relationships with the world – close trading all around the world: the General Data Because both the UK and EU-27 will have relationship with EU countries is pivotal, Protection Regulation, financial services identical regulation, and there is too much but so are closer trading relationships regulation and the Brussels effect, where aligned interest for this not to happen. with countries in the rest of the world; iii) firms choose the most stringent regulations We are not negotiating in a vacuum. There FREE TRADING NATION 8

>> are existing frameworks in the WTO and diverge from EU norms so that they will foreign investors and sites of foreign the OECD where countries have basically be able to do deals with us. If we cannot investment, the UK with an independent agreed that regulation should be the least offer this, we will just present like a mini trade policy will make a difference in WTO anti-competitive and least trade-distortive, version of the EU, with all its defensive councils. If you had to invent a country to consistent with the regulatory goal, and that baggage and complication. A reasonable galvanise those stalled processes, this is differences in regulation should not defeat time frame means we must be able to not the one you would invent. My discussions recognition if regulatory goals are aligned. only negotiate, but also sign deals in the with other countries’ trade negotiators Furthermore, the EU’s opening bid (we implementation period. Other countries suggest that there is great appetite for cannot recognise you unless you have must believe we can offer liberalisation in anything that might break the logjam. The identical rules) is only an opening bid. Their the future; and the future is quite close. rest of the world expect the UK to play opening bids are always well beyond their an important role in the WTO to reduce bottom line. Our ability to do bilateral deals “The EU’s opening bid is barriers, and would be surprised and with other countries will strengthen our only an opening bid. Their disappointed if we did not. hand in negotiating with the EU. This is why opening bids are always British firms will benefit massively from an agreement with the United States is so well beyond their bottom a reduction of these barriers. Our service important. line. Our ability to do providers will be able to open offices and While naturally much of the focus has bilateral deals with other trade in countries where this is not currently been on our relationship with the EU, countries will strengthen possible, and our manufacturers will be able whatever we do with the EU will materially our hand in negotiating to sell more in previously difficult markets. affect what we can do with the rest of the with the EU.” All of this means we cannot be in the world. So third, we must be able to accede (or indeed a) Customs Union or the Single to large platform agreements which are We must consider trade policy, not just Market. We must have control of our tariff truly liberalising such as the Trans-Pacific in commercial terms, but in geo-strategic schedules and control of our regulatory Partnership (TPP). And we must be able to and geo-political terms. In the global system. But we can have a comprehensive do so within a reasonable time frame. battle between state-led capitalism and trade agreement with the EU, and be able If we lock into the EU’s regulatory a market-led one, the UK could be a key to have deals with others, work decisively system, other countries will not be able player. Hence, the fourth pillar of this trade for change in the WTO, and improve our to do deals with us. However, this is not policy is that we need to operate decisively own domestic environment. I believe that a binary choice between the EU and the in the World Trade Organisation (WTO), to our country is capable of harnessing its rest of the world. We must minimise the galvanise the stalled trading agenda, and many talents in the private and public trade costs of divergence from the EU’s to improve economic conditions around sectors and delivering a successful result. regulatory system, while allowing ourselves the world. I am confident that we will succeed, the regulatory autonomy necessary As the world’s second largest exporter and I am confident that a bright future lies to convince others that we can in fact of services and one of the world’s largest before us.

Compass towards the Commonwealth Sir Lockwood Smith was High Commissioner of New Zealand to the Will a turn away from Europe become a turn towards the Commonwealth? United Kingdom from Sir Lockwood Smith wants a new focus on an old relationship 2013 – 2017

rexit has rekindled debate on the the EU in the UK’s trade relations. relationship with the EU, but when it future of the Commonwealth with Such talk is nonsense. The UK comes to the future, the Commonwealth Bsome saying it could even supplant needs to negotiate an excellent trading does offer opportunity. FREE TRADING NATION 9

>> It spans the globe, occupying one fifth an agreement across the Commonwealth agreements (FTAs) will be negotiated first of the world’s total land area, providing would, in some ways, be no less complex. with like-minded Commonwealth partners a home for one third of the world’s That said, some factors do help. The such as New Zealand and Australia, but population. It represents about one sixth Commonwealth, while encompassing such a world-leading open accession platform of global GDP, which means, at present, diversity of people and economic status, could evolve from those. its people are less wealthy than average. is united by language, history, culture, and shared values of democracy, free speech, “One in three people “ The Commonwealth, human rights, and the rule of law. That aged 15 to 29 living while encompassing such has resulted in similar legal systems and in the world today live diversity of people and potentially similar approaches to regulation in Commonwealth economic status, is united – so important in trade development work. countries.” by language, history, It has already been found that the bilateral culture, and shared values costs of trading between Commonwealth The Trans-Pacific Partnership started of democracy, free speech, countries are 19% less than the costs of that way. It was initiated with a high- human rights, and the rule trading with other nations. quality, open accession FTA between of law.” Successful trade strategies have New Zealand and Singapore. There more than one pathway towards their is now a real opportunity for the UK to But what of the future? Food ultimate objective. Working towards lead the next generation of trade production will be important to our rapidly a ‘Commonwealth-Closer Economic development, taking services to a growing global population and a large Relations Agreement’ that is realistic in whole new level and advancing digital chunk of potentially cultivable land lies both objectives and time frame could offer economy developments, with within the Commonwealth. What’s more, one such path. It could start laying down a like-minded Commonwealth partners. one in three people aged 15 to 29 living valuable framework for the future. It could The Commonwealth has been in the world today live in Commonwealth foster progress in dealing with the greatest described as an “economic powerhouse countries. It should not, therefore, be impediment to personal well-being across in waiting”. In hosting the Leaders Summit surprising that its future economic growth so much of the Commonwealth, and that this year, the UK has the opportunity to is expected to be double that of the EU. is corruption. electrify that powerhouse. Within a decade, the Commonwealth To do that, though, something must may well be a bigger economic power “The Commonwealth has happen first. That is, in negotiating its than the EU. been described as an exit from the EU, the UK must regain the If one doubts that, just look at the “economic powerhouse competence to develop its own global world’s top 20 emerging global cities. in waiting”. In hosting trade strategy. It cannot do that if it Half of them are in the Commonwealth. the Leaders Summit remains part of the EU Customs Union, or A renewed focus on facilitating trade and this year, the UK has the if it remains bound to the EU regulatory investment across the Commonwealth opportunity to electrify system. Either of those outcomes would therefore makes sense. The opportunities that powerhouse.” result in a massively missed opportunity. undoubtedly exist, but so too do the A smart global trade strategy is the challenges. In the more immediate future, however, greatest prize to be won by the UK In terms of stage of economic a new world-leading trade and investment from leaving the EU. It must have many development, there is a huge range, not agreement between the more advanced facets. A world leading FTA with the EU to mention difference, in size. The Pacific and liberal of the Commonwealth is needed and should not be too difficult island of Nauru has 10,000 people, while economies could pay dividends. As to negotiate unless politics trump reason; India has 1.2 billion. an open accession platform that others the UK acceding to CPTPP would bring These facts add complexity to any could join, such an agreement might a new world of opportunity to Europe, trade negotiation. The evolution of the benefit not just the Commonwealth, but and refocusing the Commonwealth, done Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP – now the world. wisely, could put the UK at the heart of the CPTPP) spanned almost 20 years. Such It is likely that bilateral free trade next generation of global growth. FREE TRADING NATION 10

John Springford is deputy Theresa’s Irish trilemma director of the Centre for European Reform

There are no easy options for resolving the Irish border after Brexit, argues John Springford

heresa May must soon deal with The Prime Minister’s final choice would meaning that the UK would have the same an invidious trilemma. She can only be to perform the mother of all U-turns, access to the EU’s services markets as T choose two of three options: leaving and keep all of the UK in the single market any third country. the single market and customs union, and customs union, which would eliminate This tough approach should not be a maintaining a border-free , and the need for a border. This would almost surprise. The EU always defends its right pursuing a whole-UK approach to Brexit. certainly result in a leadership challenge. to regulate, and May’s ideas would mean The first two options she could pick are In her March 2nd ‘Road to Brexit’ the EU accepting goods and services for Great Britain to leave the single market speech on the future relationship, May into its market that are not subject to EU and customs union, while Northern Ireland repeated her Government’s proposals rules. It also means that May’s Irish border would remain inside the EU’s customs on customs made in an options paper headache will become more acute. union and continue to sign up to EU rules published last summer: use technology, Taken together, the draft withdrawal covering agriculture, goods and value- and exempt small and medium sized treaty and the guidelines for the future added tax, among other things needed businesses which conduct 80% of cross- relationship mean that either Ireland will to maintain the ‘all-island economy’. This border trade from customs procedures. have to accept border infrastructure, or is one of the scenarios that the EU set Checks to make sure goods crossing that there will have to be a special status out in detail in its draft withdrawal treaty, borders are up to code wouldn’t be for Northern Ireland. In the guidelines, published in late February this year. It necessary, because the EU and UK the Council said that the EU will insist would entail different rules for Northern could recognise each other’s regulations on border checks to stop smuggling and Ireland and the rest of the UK. The and standards. In effect, she denied the VAT fraud, and to uphold EU standards. Democratic Unionist Party might withdraw existence of the Irish trilemma, claiming This means that a physical border will be its support for the Government if May that technology, turning a blind eye to needed between Britain and the EU-27. agreed to the EU’s proposal. The Tory smuggling and comprehensive mutual The European Commission has been at right could also revolt. recognition would alleviate the need for pains to say that if the UK can suggest Alternatively, May could insist on taking border infrastructure. ways in which technology or customs all of the UK out of the single market and But it is very likely that the EU will collaboration can prevent a border, it will customs union and try to negotiate as only offer a limited free trade agreement, be willing to listen. But it is sceptical. soft a border as possible, using camera far from the broad partnership that May is being forced to pick two options technology and online form-filling, a May proposes. In the draft guidelines, in the Irish trilemma. So far, the signs are ‘trusted trader’ scheme and risk-based published shortly after May’s speech, that the EU-27 will continue to back up checks at lorry parks away from the border. European Council officials reiterated the Ireland, and press for a special status for This is the option that no cherry-picking mantra, saying that there Northern Ireland. They will argue this is the prefers, judging by a letter to the Prime should be no participation based on a only way to reconcile the UK’s decision to Minister that was leaked late last month. “sector-by-sector approach”. They would leave the customs union and single market But it would violate the UK’s vow to avoid aim for tariff and quota-free trade in goods, with the joint promise to avoid a so-called “any physical infrastructure or related fisheries and agriculture, but said no to hard border. Given the DUP’s hostility to checks and controls”. It is not apparent far-reaching mutual recognition. Finance the idea – and that of Tory hardliners – that Ireland and the rest of the EU-27 went unmentioned, and trade in services resolving the Irish trilemma could lead to would accept that. would be determined by “host state rules”, May’s downfall. A FORCE FOR GOOD? LETTER EXCHANGE 11

Kwasi Kwarteng MP is Was and is the UK a force for the Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Chancellor good in the world?

Joseph Harker is the Kwasi Kwarteng MP and Joseph Harker debate deputy opinion editor for

Dear Joseph, enterprise has spread, the benefits are clear to see. Between 1990 and 2010, the number of people in extreme poverty fell by half as a In the aftermath of Britain’s vote to the leave the European Union, share of the total population in developing countries, from 43% to there has been much concern regarding our ability to continue to 21% – a reduction of almost one billion people. be a force for good in the world, both in terms of championing free trade and defending western security and values. “While Britain itself may not be a nirvana There is no reason to think that these fears are well-founded. of racial harmony, it has fostered a multi- While, of course, there will be a period of transition, and perhaps cultural society for decades.” some temporary disruption, Britain’s permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council and its membership of the North Atlantic By promoting free trade and remaining a key member of Treaty Organisation (NATO), the G20 and G7 will ensure that international organisations, Britain will continue to play an important Britain remains at the heart of the liberal international order. and positive role in global affairs. Since its foundation in 1949, Britain has been a leading member Kind regards, Kwasi of NATO and the international system that it protects. In fact, it was British Ernest Bevin who is widely recognised as the architect of the Washington Treaty. Ever since, Britain has Dear Kwasi, promoted peace and security in the world by being an important contributor to NATO missions, such as Bosnia and Afghanistan. Thanks for your thoughts. The question we’re asked to discuss is: “Was and is the UK “After the Brexit vote, with the Government a force for good in the world?” You answer this by referring pressing ahead with a policy almost certain to Britain’s role in NATO, the G7, G20, and the UN Security to damage the nation, it’s questionable Council. You’re right that in these roles Britain is “defending whether Britain is even a force for good for western security and values”, but why do you think this is good itself any more.” for the rest of the world? I hate making the point because it’s too obvious, but how Britain’s current commitment to protect Europe’s most did Britain’s role in Iraq or Libya help these nations? Rather, it vulnerable states, most notably by deploying 800 troops to Estonia unleashed instability that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, as part of NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence, demonstrates that and costs more by the day. The only winners were western arms Britain will remain a force for good as it remains NATO’s strongest manufacturers. and most committed European member. Britain’s shortsighted invasion of Afghanistan, similarly, caused Brexit has also presented Britain with a unique opportunity to lasting chaos and failed in its bid to rid the country of the Taliban. once again further the cause of the free market, and spread wealth Kwasi, your background is Ghanaian. Mine is Nigerian and creation throughout the globe. Irish. Are you really saying that Britain has been good for West From the origins of the free market, Britain has been at the Africa? Two hundred and fifty years of slavery, followed by a forefront of an economic system that has done more to lift millions century of colonialism which sucked the Empire’s resources out of poverty than any form of socialism. By liberalising trade, not straight into the UK. And the latter of these periods included only will British consumers benefit from cheaper products, but the Berlin Conference, which carved up Africa among Western other countries will share in jobs, industry and prosperity. As free powers (Britain being a leading member) and gave its nations A FORCE FOR GOOD? LETTER EXCHANGE 12

>> phony borders which brought different ethnic groups into to great developments pioneered by Britain’s broadly tolerant direct conflict with each other. Yes, much of Africa has had 50 culture. This is something all Britons can celebrate. It has been a years of independence, but the long-term damage takes far longer hugely positive contribution to the modern world. than this to correct. Kind regards, Kwasi My Irish half knows too that, from Oliver Cromwell to the potato famine to the partition, Britain has had an often shameful role. So, yes, Britain has had good moments (most notably, standing Dear Kwasi, alone against Hitler in 1940-41, for which it is rightly proud). But, overall, the change sheet is far too tainted to claim to have had a I’m pleased you accept that many wrongs were done in the positive impact. cause of British imperialism. But I fail to see how Parliament, the judiciary, and others, gives the balance sheet “a net positive Yours, Joseph contribution”. These institutions mainly benefited the UK, and made only glacial progress in halting the crimes of slavery or Empire. Dear Joseph, And being better than , Germany or Italy means little, given that for centuries western Europe has acted consistently Of course the rights and wrongs of British imperialism will be and systematically to exploit and control much of the world. debated for years to come. Many atrocities were no doubt committed in the pursuit of Empire and, as you point out, not only “Britain’s shortsighted invasion of as a Ghanaian but also as a historian of empire, I am fully conscious Afghanistan caused lasting chaos of the wrongs committed in the name of British imperialism. and failed in its bid to rid the country When, however, you look at such institutions as Parliament, the of the Taliban.” impartiality of the judiciary, trial by jury and the common law, there is definitely a net positive contribution. I don’t deny that progress has been made (let’s face it, the While Britain itself may not be a nirvana of racial harmony, it ‘No Blacks, No Irish, No Dogs’ signs are thankfully consigned has fostered a multi-cultural society for decades. This compares to history). But let’s not mistakenly believe this means we favourably to such countries as France, Germany and Italy, who are in a good place. Virulent Islamophobia runs throughout have also had imperial pretensions. our media, and in some parts of the country identifiable Britain is a tolerant place. The fact you and I can have a Muslims, especially women, run a gauntlet of hate on an discussion like this is testament to the kind of progress that has almost daily basis. been made in Britain since the mid-20th century. I find it ironic Nor should you criticise people such as Afua Hirsch for that many people who complain the most about British society having a “privileged” background. Without a good education, or are people like, for example, Afua Hirsch who have enjoyed great a respectable professional role, she’d almost certainly be ignored privilege in our society. That in itself is a sign of success. by our media and political establishment, as are most people of colour (at Grenfell, it took a catastrophic fire before its residents “Brexit has also presented Britain with a were listened to). unique opportunity to once again further It’s interesting you say that you “respect” the suffragettes, the the cause of the free market, and spread chartists, the trade unionists: as a Conservative you’d know only wealth creation throughout the globe.” too well that your own party opposed all these radicals, so you can’t claim to be proud of that history. I feel that in its treatment of minorities, whether they be ethnic And as for Britain’s “free market” tradition: again, as you’d or of sexual orientation, Britain is a force for good. From the know from your Ghanaian background, these markets only work abolitionists to the Chartists, to the suffragettes and the founders for the powerful – and, today, they still work against developing of the Trade Union movement, Britain has a proud radical tradition nations trying to trade their way to prosperity. which I respect. So is Britain a force for a good? Only for itself, I’d conclude. As a Conservative, I would perhaps stress the liberal free And after the Brexit vote, with the Government pressing ahead market tradition of John Locke, Adam Smith and John Stuart Mill with a policy almost certain to damage the nation, it’s questionable advocating property rights, the rule of law and free trade. Whether whether Britain is even a force for good for itself any more. on the Left or the Right, political historians and activists can point Very best wishes, Joseph A FORCE FOR GOOD? 13

Sir Michael Tugendhat The home of human rights is a former Judge of the High Court of and Wales Sir Michael Tugendhat explains how Britain exported human rights around the world

ife, liberty, property and access to contention. Or did he require the consent alike, promoted the United Nations, the justice are the basic human rights of Parliament, seen as representing all the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of L that are recognised in all the famous people? In the centuries following 1215, 1948, and the European Convention on texts. They are in the US Declaration before political battles descended into the Human Rights 1950. of Independence of 1776, the French 1640 civil war, life, liberty, property and By that time, it was recognised that revolutionary Declaration of 1789, the access to justice had all been recognised colonialism could not be reconciled with Irish Constitution of 1922, the Universal as common law rights. Magna Carta was a human rights or the common law. The Declaration of Human Rights 1948, and means by which kings acknowledged these peoples of the Empire moved quickly to all the great democratic constitutions and rights, as they did again by statutes such independence. India enshrined human treaties of the 20th and 21st centuries. as the Petition of Right 1628 and the Bill of rights in its Constitution, largely following Liberty includes not only physical freedom, Rights 1688. the common law and American models, as but also freedom of trade and employment, The weakness of the common law is Ireland had done in 1922. Conservative freedom of speech and assembly, privacy, that it can be overridden by Parliament. In governments in the 1950s prepared other and the right of peoples to participate in of crisis, particularly in the colonies, colonies for independence by giving them making of laws that govern them. common law human rights often were codified constitutions; we in Britain have Where do these rights come from? They overridden by Parliament. That is what led never adopted one for ourselves. These are universal. They were not invented in to the American rebellion in 1776, and constitutions included the traditional Britain. But Britain has had a special role in later demands for independence. In all of common law rights, in most cases preserving these rights, and spreading their these, peoples rejected British rule, but expressed in the words in which they had recognition across the world. they embraced our common law, as they been set out in the European Convention One of the earliest documents to set continue to do today. of 1950. out these rights was Magna Carta – not Britain was committed by a Labour so much the famous 1215 version of King “Britain softly exported British Government to the two 1976 International John, extracted from him by force, but rather values to peoples who had Covenants, on Civil and Political Rights, the many subsequent versions, freely issued not enjoyed, as we had, and on Economic, Social and Cultural again and again, in 1216 and the next three centuries of the rule of law.” Rights. So, too, Britain was committed by centuries, by each of the subsequent kings. Conservative Governments to the Refugee A 1354 English statute uses the more After World War One, Britain joined Convention in 1954, the Elimination of All modern language which inspired the US with our allies in treaties to prevent another Forms of Discrimination against Women Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments: “no man war, and to promote the rights of workers (CEDAW) in 1986; the UN and the of what Estate or Condition that he be, shall and of women. But by the 1940s, those of European Conventions against Torture be put out of Land ..., nor imprisoned, … our European neighbours who had enjoyed in 1988 and the Convention on the nor put to death, without … due Process of a democratic tradition like ours had all Rights of the Child in 1991. By all these the Law”. succumbed to tyranny. In World War Two, treaties, Britain voluntarily increased the Magna Carta did not achieve the Churchill made the enthronement of human commitments we had undertaken in the recognition that it has today until the rights a British war aim. With victory, Britain European Convention on Human Rights. 60 or so years from 1580 to the start of was amongst the leaders of the movement Thus Britain softly exported British values to the English Civil War in 1640. Liberty to banish tyranny from the world. Our peoples who had not enjoyed, as we had, and property were the major points of governments, Labour and Conservative centuries of the rule of law. A FORCE FOR GOOD? 14

Benedict Rogers is The end of human rights co-founder and Chair of in Hong Kong? and deputy chair of the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission Hong Kong’s basic freedoms have been increasingly eroded, warns Benedict Rogers

n 23 January this year, the House Hong Kong’s former Chief Secretary, To sum up the picture, the former of Commons held a debate on Anson Chan, and the founder of Hong Secretary-General of the Hong Kong OHong Kong. The following day, Kong’s Democratic Party, Martin Lee, Christian Council, Po Kam-cheong, the introduced their own concluded that “none of us is safe”, and claimed that was “gradually oral question. Both debates were timely, there was a direct violation of the Joint devouring ‘one country, two systems’.” and much-needed. Declaration which guaranteed that “no Alarmingly, he added, “I couldn’t imagine Last year marked the twentieth Hong Kong resident would have to fear a either that 40 years after the death of anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover to midnight knock on the door”. Mao Zedong…the spectre of the Cultural China. Under the 1984 Sino-British Joint Last year a court disqualified six elected Revolution would re-emerge.” Declaration, both Britain and China have legislators for failing to take their oaths In the face of this, Britain appears to be obligations to Hong Kong for the first fifty properly. , the youngest ever beginning to step up to its responsibilities: years following the handover. Britain’s role elected legislator in Hong Kong, took his Last September’s biannual Hong-Kong is to monitor, and speak out in defence of oath properly but was disqualified for citing report to Parliament was more robust, the freedoms, human rights and the rule Mahatma Gandhi. These legislators are contrasting what Hong Kong’s last of law, set out in the Basic Law, and to now facing demands to repay salaries and Governor Chris Patten has called previous ensure that China respects Hong Kong’s expenses which they legitimately earned as “fairly neutral…and rather anodyne” autonomy; creating the concept of ‘one legislators. reports. country, two systems’. Just before Christmas the Legislative Last October, I found myself at the For the first 15 years after the handover Council introduced procedural changes centre of an international media row, China largely honoured the bargain. which weaken legislators’ powers. The as I was declared “a threat to [China’s] However, in the last five years Hong Kong’s Hong Kong Government will, on Beijing’s sovereignty, safety and interests”, simply basic freedoms have been increasingly orders, introduce a new ‘anti-subversion’ because I wanted to have tea with some eroded. A catalogue of examples law restricting freedom of expression, and friends and listen to their perspectives. illustrate this. a law criminalising disrespect of China’s I found the British Government response In 2014, China reneged on its promise national anthem, with a penalty of up to encouraging – the Foreign Secretary of universal suffrage in elections for Hong three years in prison. issued a statement, the Chinese Kong’s Chief Executive, causing the police China is now preparing to impose ambassador was summoned to the to crack down on thousands of peaceful mainland law at the new high-speed rail Foreign Office, and Mark Field MP, the protesters and jailing several leaders in terminus in Hong Kong. The National Minister of State at the Foreign Office, what became known as the ‘Umbrella People’s Congress Standing Committee wrote to Hong Kong’s Chief Executive Movement’. decided that this was constitutional, Carrie Lam. In the House of Commons In 2015, five Hong Kong-based usurping the courts which have exclusive debate on 23 January, he repeated Britain’s publishers, including British citizen Lee Bo, rights to adjudicate such cases. The Hong commitment to the Joint Declaration and were abducted for publishing books critical Kong Bar Association is “appalled” by asserted ‘one country, two systems’ is of the Chinese leadership. Four have since this decision, which “severely undermines “absolute” and “unequivocal”. He added been released, but one – Swedish national public confidence in ‘one country, two that “if the people of Hong Kong…are Gui Minhai – remains in custody in China. systems’ and the rule of law in Hong Kong.” to continue to have confidence in ‘one A FORCE FOR GOOD? 15

>> country, two systems’, it is vital that the is very welcome. Hong Kong pro-democracy leaders such high degree of autonomy and the rights In 1995, Prime Minister Sir John Major as Anson Chan and Martin Lee have also and freedoms enshrined in the Basic Law told the people of Hong Kong that “if advocated the need for the UK to speak and guaranteed under international law by there were any suggestion of a breach up forcefully in defence of the rights and the Joint Declaration are respected. Let of the Joint Declaration, we would have freedoms that distinguish Hong Kong so me make it clear. Maintaining confidence in a duty to pursue every legal and other sharply from the rest of China. “If it does ‘one country, two systems’ and the rule of avenue available to us.” He promised not lead, then the future of ‘one country, law is crucial for Hong Kong and China’s that: “Hong Kong will never have to walk two systems’ is at best troubled and at own interests…[and] will only flourish alone.” Britain has, as Chris Patten said, worst doomed.” Britain’s responsibility if the peoples enjoy the freedoms and “a right and a moral obligation to continue is clear. It must not be shirked, and safeguards that will ensure the promotion to check on whether China is keeping its the recent indications from the British of their talents and enterprise.” side of the bargain” – and risks “selling Government are that it is starting to be Such language, even if a little overdue, its honour” if it fails to do so. Courageous taken seriously. A FORCE FOR GOOD? 16

The Rt Hon Andrew Aid to our advantage Mitchell MP is the former Secretary of State for International Development The Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP ponders the nature of Britain’s aid post-Brexit

do not much like the expression ‘British disfigures our world. By tackling these evils is why in so many countries we avoid such values’. There is something slightly we can see that every penny of Britain’s government mechanisms that do exist Ipompous and self-serving about claiming development budget is spent in Britain’s in favour of working through multilateral that universal values that many people national interest too. organisations, international charities, and support are somehow British. They are It is hugely to our advantage that we non-governmental bodies, of which Britain not – they are universal – and many decent help tackle the problems of conflict and has some of the best in the world. people around the world support these grinding poverty. As well as making the When I was at the Department for same values, whether they be the rule of poorest in the world safer and more International Development, we helped law, free speech, or the right to lead your prosperous, it does the same for Britain. set up a fund designed to assist the life free of conflict and misery. Consider Somalia – a country as conflict poorest countries in negotiating trade But what is certainly true is that ridden and dysfunctional as any in the deals. We did this because we had throughout some extremely difficult and world. Not long ago there were more British seen for ourselves, while in opposition, unhappy parts of the world, Britain has passport holders training in terrorist camps the disparity between wealthy countries been a beacon of light at times of very in Somalia than in Pakistan or Afghanistan. engaging through the WTO and poorer great darkness. By helping tackle conflict there and build ones. Rich country teams included many a more accountable society – something lawyers, accountants and experienced “By tackling these evils we which ’s 2012 initiatives negotiators whereas poor countries were can see that every penny undoubtedly helped begin – we make our often represented only by one dedicated of Britain’s development own streets and cities safer too. This is a official with very limited resources. We budget is spent in Britain’s good example, incidentally, of what ‘Global concluded that this was not a good way to national interest too.” Britain’ can mean. The truth is that aid, reach trade deals which should, after all, trade, and development are always in our be to the benefit of both sides. Negotiating I think of the way that Britain is always interests as well as those we are seeking good trade deals around the world post- the first country to help at times of to help. Brexit will not only be very important for humanitarian catastrophe, whether in Africa Were we to withdraw support in Britain but also hugely to the advantage of or Asia, and not just in the poor world countries that play fast and loose with the the countries with whom we trade and for where, of course, resilience can be very human rights of their citizens, it is not the whom good trade deals will contribute both low indeed. When the terrible earthquake rulers and the powerful in those countries to our and their prosperity. in Japan struck in 2011, British firemen and that would suffer, it is those whose human And as poorer countries become more women immediately rushed to help and rights are already being abused upon prosperous and develop a middle class rescue people. whom we would be turning our back. with something to lose, the case for an Britain’s development budget (one of In countries where Britain has an independent legal system and fair treatment the best examples of public expenditure international development programme, we before the law, rather than at the whim of a investing in the lives and futures of the do not work through governments which warlord or corrupt politician, becomes ever British younger generation) confronts many are corrupt, or where we would be unable stronger. And so it is that the concern for of the international problems which loom to look our own taxpayers in the eye and human rights and our ability to support freer over our future. Migration, climate change, assure them that their hard-earned funds trade and the rule of law becomes stronger, terrorism, protectionism and the deep were being well spent. We have a policy not weaker, through the propagation of aid, and abiding poverty and inequality which of zero tolerance towards corruption. That trade and development. A FORCE FOR GOOD? 17

Chloe Dalton was a #MeToo on the front line Former Special Adviser to the Foreign Secretary

Chloe Dalton and Baroness Helic call for Britain to do much more to lead global efforts to reduce sexual violence in conflict Baroness Helic was a Former Special Adviser to the Foreign Secretary

ver the last few months we and an 85 year-old woman who was gang local authorities. Thanks to UK leadership, have witnessed an avalanche of raped and forced to watch her husband over two thirds of all UN member states Orevelations of sexual harassment and son killed. endorsed a Global Declaration of experienced by women internationally. On top of physical injury, trauma, Commitment to End Sexual Violence in #MeToo has flooded Instagram, Facebook, and unwanted pregnancy, victims are Conflict in 2013 pledging, for example, not and , bringing countless individual often stigmatised and rejected by their to include amnesties for sexual violence in stories to the world. communities. Nor are all survivors female. peace agreements. In different ways, these women have A December 2017 study by UNHCR And in 2014 the UK held a summit in found their voice. Yet the same still found that boys as young as 10, and men London that crystallised a number of other cannot be said of the millions of female as old as 80, have been sexually tortured in important advances including changes to and male survivors of wartime sexual and Assad’s prisons. The stigma faced by male military training, action plans adopted by gender-based violence, the vast majority survivors is especially acute: the same some of the worst-affected countries, and of whom never receive justice, recognition report found that 70 countries criminalise the launch of the first international protocol or reparation. Girls like Hala, a teenage men who report sexual victimisation, due to in the documentation and investigation of Rohingya girl who told Human Rights homophobic policies. sexual violence. Watch how she was stripped naked by The prevalence of sexual violence The Government has pledged to soldiers, gang-raped and left for dead, as a military strategy, its salience as a hold an international meeting in 2019 to during the Burmese military’s campaign of factor in creating refugee flows, and its review progress made since the summit. ethnic cleansing. devastating impact on the rights of women The Government has yet to articulate its Hala has no hashtag. She is one of and girls, mean that we will not address goals for the meeting, and should consider thousands of Rohingya women and girls the security challenges of the 21st Century three steps. – already some of the most marginalised successfully if we turn a blind eye to this and mistreated women in the world – now aspect of conflict and insecurity. “Hala has no hashtag. facing the lifelong consequences of rape, The Preventing Sexual Violence She is one of thousands while living in crowded refugee camps in Initiative (PSVI) was set up in 2012 of Rohingya women and Bangladesh where they are vulnerable to by the then Foreign Secretary, William girls now facing the lifelong forced marriage, human trafficking, and Hague, and Angelina Jolie, with the goal consequences of rape.” sexual assault. of increasing the number of perpetrators In conflicts around the world, sexual and who are brought to justice, and building First, ministers should acknowledge that gender-based violence is used as a means up the legal and practical capability of the case for action is even more urgent of terrorising, controlling or expelling other countries to prevent this violence today than it was in 2012. ISIS’s use of a civilian population. It is not the only themselves. rape and sexual slavery as a genocidal crime faced by civilians during conflict, The initiative included setting up the strategy towards the Yazidi people, and but it is one of the most devastating. In first team of diplomats working full time in the brutal sexual violence carried out in South Sudan, UN Human Rights Council the Foreign Office on preventing sexual Syria and Burma, all point to the continuing investigators have documented horrific violence in conflict, and a team of doctors, centrality of this issue to UK foreign policy. cases of violence by armed groups, lawyers, police officers, psychologists and The Foreign and Commonwealth Office including a mother who witnessed her forensic scientists who could be deployed should develop and announce a plan for son being forced to rape his grandmother, overseas to help gather evidence and train the 2019 conference that is commensurate A FORCE FOR GOOD? 18

>> with the scale of the problem and they will pay no serious penalty for the needs were hardwired into the international Britain’s aspirations to a leading role in mass violation of the rights of Rohingya response on a sufficient scale. tackling global security challenges. women and girls. The UK should also We believe that the UK could set a lead name and shame military commanders by announcing that it will dedicate a fixed “We believe that the on whose watch these crimes have been or minimum percentage of the aid budget UK could set a lead committed, and make them a target of to fighting sexual and gender based by announcing that it international sanctions. violence, including empowering women will dedicate a fixed or Third, even though we know that gender- and addressing the inequalities that minimum percentage of based violence is endemic in situations of leave them vulnerable. The Development the aid budget to fighting conflict, disaster and human displacement, Secretary should announce that the UK will sexual and gender based it is routinely under-funded and insufficiently devote a minimum 1% of the International violence.” prioritised in humanitarian responses. For Development budget to this purpose, and instance, there is often a critical shortage call on like-minded allies to do the same. Second, the UK should be at the of funds for the provision of post-rape care Without this kind of coordinated, forefront in insisting on, and helping and other healthcare services. Speaking in comprehensive approach, prevention to enable, justice for survivors. It is December, the UN Special Representative and protection will always lag behind disappointing that the Government has for Sexual Violence in Conflict reported a needs, and these war crimes will continue so far under-emphasised sexual violence funding shortfall of $10 million to deliver unchecked. The new-found willingness to in its response to the Burma crisis. The urgent gender-based violence assistance confront entrenched sexual violence and PSVI team of experts should be deployed, to Rohingya women. This is a relatively harassment in our own society should be in force, to Bangladesh to gather small sum in the context of the $434 matched by an equal determination to testimony and evidence for use in future million UN appeal for the Rohingya crisis. defend the rights of the most vulnerable prosecutions. Failure to do this sends a It is a shortfall that could easily have been women in the world. Girls like Hala deserve tacit signal to the Burmese authorities that prevented if funding for these types of nothing less.

Constitutional crisis? Professor Vernon Bogdanor CBE is professor of government at Professor Vernon Bogdanor contemplates the impact of Brexit on King’s College London and the British constitution a constitutional expert

he European Union Withdrawal The EU is a protected constitutional Justice, as well as national courts, can Bill, currently before Parliament, system, its institutions enjoying only the disapply or annul legislation incompatible T seeks to incorporate EU laws, powers given to them by the Treaties. It with any aspect of EU law. The enacted over a period of 44 years, into is based upon a separation of powers constitutional system of the EU, our domestic law, so as to preserve between its institutions – notably the therefore, is, by contrast with the British legal continuity following Brexit. This Bill Council of Ministers, the Commission and constitutional system, protected against does something quite unprecedented in the Parliament – as well as territorially the abuse of legislative power. the constitutional history of the modern between the EU and the national member Since December 2009, European law world. It moves Britain from a codified states. It is, moreover, a constitutional has included the European Charter of constitution to an uncodified and system based on the judicial review of Fundamental Rights. The 54 articles in the unprotected one. legislation, since the European Court of Charter give many rights additional A FORCE FOR GOOD? 19

>> to those in the European Convention of Human Rights. These include a very wide right to equality, a right to protection of personal data, the rights of children and the elderly, and the right of a judicial remedy when rights are infringed. We did not incorporate the Charter into our domestic law, and the Government believed that Britain had an opt-out from it. But the case of Benkharbouche last October showed that there was not in fact an opt out. In that case, the Supreme Court ruled that part of the State Immunity Act of 1978 went against the provisions of the Charter and should therefore be are being abolished.” upon themselves to protect human rights, disapplied. The Charter, therefore, gave It is rare if not unprecedented just as they took it upon themselves to greater protection than the European for a democracy to exit from a major protect the supremacy of European law in Convention since the latter allows only for international human rights regime; and the landmark Factortame case in 1991. a declaration of incompatibility which has no democracy has hitherto moved from In addition, Brexit calls into question no legal effect; it is then for Parliament a protected to an unprotected system. whether such a constitution is still to decide whether or not to amend the Brexit, therefore, raises profound sufficient to protect our rights. Only law. The Charter, by contrast, provides a constitutional questions. two other democracies still adhere to judicial remedy. After Brexit, our rights will rest in the uncodified constitutions – New Zealand, hands of MPs in a sovereign Parliament. and . New Zealand, however, governs “It is rare if not That is dangerous. A party that has won a much smaller and more homogenous unprecedented for a power in a free election does of course population than Britain, while Israel in democracy to exit from a have the right to govern. But it does not 1992 passed a law giving judges the right major international human have the right to govern in any way that it to strike down legislation contravening rights regime; and no pleases. It does not, for example, have the human rights. democracy has hitherto right to override minority rights. That is why moved from a protected nearly every democracy provides a judicial “Globally, most countries to an unprotected system. remedy to limit the power of governments are strengthening Brexit, therefore, raises and legislatures. We will have no such their human rights profound constitutional remedy. We have to ask ourselves whether laws. Britain will be questions.” our MPs are so much more sensitive to the weakening them.” protection of human rights than legislators That remedy will be lost after Brexit. in other countries that they can be trusted Constitutions are generally drawn Admittedly, aspects of the Charter will then voluntarily to respect human rights. I am up after revolution, independence or become irrelevant – for example the right somewhat sceptical that they possess this decolonisation. Britain has not until the to vote and stand in European Parliament special sensitivity. present enjoyed such a constitutional elections. Other rights in the Charter such Globally, most countries are moment. Instead the British state has as that providing for free movement in strengthening their human rights laws. evolved over time. There seems no the EU are against Government policy. Britain will be weakening them. Brexit will specific time at which it began. But Nevertheless, many rights will be lost. As expose the nakedness of our unprotected perhaps Brexit, by revealing so starkly Andrew Langdon, QC, and Chairman of constitution and leave a gap in the the nakedness of our constitution, will the Bar Council stated last September, protection of human rights. This gap might prove to be our own constitutional “rights are not being brought home, they be filled by the judges who may take it moment. A FORCE FOR GOOD? 20

Theo Clarke is the Emergency first responder Chief Executive of the Coalition for Global Prosperity Theo Clarke on Britain’s achievements as a world leader in humanitarian aid

here are plenty of people who Our achievements should be a source It isn’t just education, DFID also has argue that aid is a waste of money. of great national pride. We have helped a great track record when it comes to T Secretary James ‘Mad Dog’ Mattis to make the world safer, healthier and delivering vaccines, clean water programs, – current US Secretary of Defence, and better off. British aid has immunised 67.1 and – crucially – tackling pandemics. former Commander of the US Joint Forces million more children against preventable We can’t build a wall to hold back an – isn’t one of them. In 2013, Mattis said if disease across the world, helped ensure epidemic. Defeating disease outbreaks at the US cut its diplomacy and development Mozambique became landmine free and source is critical if we want to prevent them budgets “then I need to buy more saved 6.2 million people from dying of from arriving on our own shores. The UK ammunition”. malaria. We have literally helped to bring was also at the forefront of the fight against Mattis is right. In today’s complex and life and hope to millions of people. Ebola and, as a result, West Africa has highly interdependent world the people That doesn’t mean we can be now been free from the disease for over who argue that we should spend more on complacent. Recent events show us, once two years. the military but slash the aid budget have again, how important it is to scrutinise every Aid is not a silver bullet. It won’t solve fundamentally misunderstood the threats that partner we work with and every program all of the world’s problems, or meet all Britain faces. Our security is threatened from we fund. Wasting aid, funding corruption our security needs. The money donated state and non-state actors; by strongmen or exploitation, is sickening. It is a double by governments represents a fraction of dictators and by the fragile and failed states crime, stealing both from the world’s the wealth that is generated by private that incubate terrorism and conflict. We poorest and most desperate people who investment and trade. Wealthy countries face threats that recognise no geographic need aid most, and from the UK taxpayer could do more to accelerate the growth boundaries – terrorist cells, online hackers, whose money it is. of developing countries by lowering tariff and epidemics like Ebola and Zika can strike The UK must invest its aid carefully, barriers and cracking down on tax havens. unannounced at any moment. strategically, and coherently. We should Ultimately, developing countries will have to Meeting these threats requires a concentrate on the programs where we grow their way out of poverty, and for the combination of hard and soft power. We know we can deliver results, and where foreseeable future most countries will need need an effective aid budget, alongside results can deliver real change. Take girls’ to invest directly in their own defence and an active diplomatic and defence strategy, education, which Boris Johnson calls “the security. to protect ourselves. But keeping Britain Swiss army knife, the universal spanner” However, there are some things at the forefront of saving lives, alleviating because it tackles so many problems, from that aid does best. It is only aid that can poverty and bringing freedom, security and radicalisation to poverty. Educated women help the poorest people in the poorest prosperity to those who need it most, is not have fewer children and their children countries lift themselves out of poverty. only in our own interests, it is also the right are more likely to survive infancy. They Aid saves lives, supports refugees, gives thing to do. have more opportunities to work, to earn life-saving support to stop people dying You won’t know it from our newspapers, an income, grow their economies and to of hunger during famines, and vaccinates but Britain is a global leader in participate in public life. So at a time when children against entirely preventable development. The work we do is hugely female equality is being hotly debated at diseases. These achievements are respected across the world, and the home, it is fantastic that the FCO and DFID worthwhile in their own right, but they also Department for International Development have made the provision of 12 years of genuinely make us safer. Disasters, conflicts (DFID) is regarded as one of the world’s good quality education for girls one of their and diseases don’t pay attention to national most transparent, effective aid donors. top foreign policy priorities. borders, so neither should we. The Centre Write interview: Tom Tugendhat MP

Laura Round discusses what the priorities should be for British foreign policy post-Brexit with the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee

Post-Referendum, do you get the sense that Britain’s reputation has changed abroad?

People are wondering where we’re going and that’s a legitimate question as we’ve chosen to have the biggest strategic shift in our foreign policy in 40 odd years. I think that we’ve got to answer that and that’s one of the things that the Committee has sought to offer.

So you aren’t concerned Brexit is impacting how people abroad are viewing Britain’s role in the world?

No I’m not. I think we’ve got an extremely positive future, and I think that there’s every reason to believe that the United Kingdom will continue to be a valued partner and trusted ally in the years to come. The United Kingdom is still one of the biggest investors in foreign affairs, one of the biggest investors in defence, and let’s not forget our aid budget as well. We are absolutely at the frontline of global foreign policy and we maintain a very strong network. We could do better, particularly as we’re losing – depending on how you look at it – the warm embrace, or the stifling embrace, of the European Union.

Are there any locations in particular where you think we should be focusing more resources?

Well, of course, we have to do more inside the European Union, because we will no longer have the megaphone of Brussels to use as a platform from which to conduct our diplomacy. We must ensure that we get out and conduct bilateral relations appropriately. This is something we haven’t done for many

“There’s a lot else we must do around the world. It’s not enough just to talk about the Commonwealth. We’ve got to invest in it.”

Matthew Plummer THE CENTRE WRITE INTERVIEW 22

>> years, because we haven’t had to. But now we really must. humanity. There are rich countries, there are poor countries, there On top of that, there’s a lot else we must do around the world. are Eastern countries, there are Western countries, North and It’s not enough just to talk about the Commonwealth. We’ve got South. This is an amazing network. But unless we invest in it and to invest in it. That doesn’t mean just countries where we have take it seriously, and unless we see that it’s a relationship based traditional links and where we have serious investment, such as on values and not just on trade, then we will be failing to gain its India and Australia. We have to multiply the efforts in other places. full value. For example, we really do need to invest in our African network. Countries like Rwanda and offer serious opportunities, not Two years ago, the Foreign Affairs Select Committee found just for British business, but much more importantly than that, they that the Foreign Office had deprioritised human rights. Do offer opportunities for the United Kingdom to demonstrate what you think the Foreign Office has improved its approach to British friendship means. If we were to invest properly in Ghana – human rights since then? partnering with her militarily, through the rule of law, through trade and aid – then we would see that country transform and through We haven’t looked specifically at human rights, so I can’t speak it, I think, we could transform West Africa. on behalf of the Foreign Affairs Committee on this matter. What I would say, however, is that it is a matter of great sorrow to me that when we spoke to the Secretary of State he told us that the Commonwealth was not one of the priorities. Now that is a “The United Kingdom is concern, because if the Commonwealth is not one of the priorities still one of the biggest in a post-Brexit era, one wonders what is. The reality is there are very few organisations or associations that demonstrate quite so investors in foreign clearly the centrality of the United Kingdom. It’s a great shame if affairs, one of the biggest the Foreign Office don’t see that.

investors in defence, and You’ve been slightly critical of Boris Johnson recently. let’s not forget our aid What do you think makes a good Foreign Secretary?

budget as well. We are Well, I think Boris has got some amazing strengths. He has the absolutely at the frontline ability to make his voice heard and that is a real asset for the United Kingdom. People listen. But it is important, of course, that of global foreign policy they hear the words that Britain really wants to project. Those and we maintain a very words must have to do with promoting the values of the United strong network.” Kingdom and promoting our interests around the world. The former Ambassador to the United States, Sir Christopher Meyer, banned the phrase Special Looking ahead to the Commonwealth Heads of Relationship, because he thought it “made us behave like Government Meeting (CHOGM) taking place this month poodles”. Are you cautious about using that term? what would you like the outcome to be? Every country in the world thinks it’s got a ‘special relationship’ Well, CHOGM is a huge opportunity. Let’s not forget what it is: with the United States. We have a relationship with the United it’s the first time in many years that every head of state or head of States based on the fact that we see the world in similar ways. government is coming. That’s quite something, because there’s We do understand the rule of law at home and we understand 53 of them, including Her Majesty. It can’t just be raw trade: a it abroad. We understand the importance of the rules-based naked opportunity for the UK to enrich itself. What it needs to system. We understand the importance of securing the global be is a network that enables all of us to have a voice. Let’s not commons, whether at sea or now indeed on cyberspace. We forget what the Commonwealth is. The Commonwealth is one share common interests. That’s why our relationship is special. of the very, very few clubs or associations that people voluntarily It’s not to do with US forces in World War One, or landing in join where individual members come from the widest spectrum of Normandy together in World War Two. Those things reinforce it, THE CENTRE WRITE INTERVIEW 23

“I speak harshly about Russia – and it’s always with great sadness – because Russia is one of the truly great countries of the world.” but the reason that we have a relationship that is so strong and To see it taken over by this gang of gangsters is deeply dispiriting so deep is because we see the world in similar ways. So look, and leaves me very sorry for the Russian people. Christopher Meyer is right. ‘Special relationship’ is a cheap and trite phrase that many countries can use. The importance of the Your have recently spoken about your disappointment of UK’s relationship with the United States is that we reinforce each Britain voting against military action in Syria. Do you think other in different ways around the world. your generation of MPs would have voted differently? I can’t tell you how others would have voted. All I can say is that you Are you concerned about NATO’s future? don’t have to come from my background, a military background, to think like this. I wrote a paper with a late friend, , who was so No. NATO is an extremely powerful organisation, which has tragically murdered. She came at this from a different perspective: demonstrated its worth time and again, not least recently with many a humanitarian aid worker’s perspective. But she too saw that you countries’ commitment to the air policing role over the Baltic states can’t just walk on by. That isn’t one of the choices. If you want to and the deployment of forces to , Lithuania and Estonia. It’s know the price of walking on by, look at the refugee crisis in Europe also worth noting that the countries that Russia has had a go at in today, and ask yourself is it really the right thing to do, when Syria is recent years aren’t NATO states. They had a go at Georgia and at becoming such a conflagration for the region. the Ukraine at times when there was talk they might be beginning to think about NATO membership. However, the countries that have The Oxfam Scandal has highlighted problems in the joined have been able to pursue their destiny in peace. international aid sector. What do you think needs to change to make aid more effective and more popular On the topic of Russia, David Cameron recently said that with the electorate? one of his regrets was not signing up to the Magnitsky Act. Is this something you’re keen to push? I think foreign aid can be extremely important. It can be a way of supporting governments that are on the right path, but need The Committee hasn’t yet looked at that, but it is something that is a little help. But the Oxfam scandal has pointed that oversight absolutely on my radar and that I’m extremely supportive of. There is an issue. We can’t forget who these people are. Oxfam and are various members of the Committee who I have been talking organisations like them are flying the flag for the United Kingdom. about this for some while. In fact, before I was the chair, we were They’re, fundamentally, representing us abroad. We give them talking about this. The Magnitsky Act is extremely important, literally millions of pounds. So, to see these scandals occur is not because it prevents individuals who have committed crimes in only serious for the aid sector, it’s actually serious for our foreign Russia being able to hide their gains abroad. This is a problem affairs sector. One of the implications has to be that our embassy that we have seen around the West, and it’s a problem that we network must be better at seeing what’s going on, and picking up are fully conscious of in the United Kingdom, and we must make the issues and stopping them, or at least calling them out. There’s the law absolutely clear that this behaviour is unacceptable. I a cultural issue here too. In some cases, and I’ve witnessed this speak harshly about Russia – and it’s always with great sadness when working in Afghanistan, there are splits between those who – because Russia is one of the truly great countries of the world. work for DFID and those who work for the Foreign Office, which Russia’s place is at the top table of global diplomacy. European is extremely distressing. What’s absolutely essential is that we politics is unimaginable without Russia. Russia is an essential make sure that whoever you work for, whichever branch of the part, not just culturally and economically and politically, but British Government you work for overseas, it is coordinated by socially as well, when looking at the interaction between Russia the Foreign Office. The Ambassador and the Foreign Office team and the rest of Europe over centuries. Russia has an absolute on the ground must have oversight and must have a feeling of rightful place, not only at Europe’s top table, but around the world. responsibility, because they represent the UK overseas. BRIGHT BLUE POLITICS 24

The Rt Hon Anna Soubry Why I’m a Bright Blue MP MP is the former Minister of State for Small Business, Industry and Enterprise The great social reforms in history have all been driven by liberalism, writes the Rt Hon Anna Soubry MP

read Law at University and I’ve never our intake came from Manton – home to assistance to make a better life as a child studied Politics. I’m an instinctive miners at the local pit and the poorest of from the least deprived background. I I politician and reckon my views on most families in Worksop. I had always been believe in tolerance and social justice. issues come from a lifelong set of values. aware that the town had more than its I have never understood how you can My liberal conservativism springs from fair share of deprivation; now I was being take against someone, or even worse my upbringing and early experiences educated in the harsh reality of life for discriminate against a person, because which moulded my thinking and helped set many of my fellow pupils. of the colour of their skin, their sexuality, my moral compass. My parents met at the Years later as a criminal barrister in race, sex or religion. Seeing the person Young Conservatives in the early 1950s Nottingham, I found myself representing is a strong part of what makes one a and were firm Macmillanites. We were an not just people I went to school with, small l, liberal. ordinary, middle-class, middle England, but their children and, just before being History shows us that all the great Church of England family. My father was elected in 2010, their grandchildren. Of social reforms, whether it was the abolition the type of man who would always give course, criminals come from all social and of slavery or universal suffrage, have been a hitchhiker a lift, because it was right economic groups, but most come from driven by liberalism – a generosity of spirit, to help someone on their journey who the least well-off backgrounds. I don’t open hearts and minds, and a desire for didn’t have the means he had. My mother, subscribe to the theory that poverty drives freedom and justice. perhaps a rarity 60 years ago, welcomed criminality – I do know you’re more likely My mother is now well into her eighties. and befriended a lonely, newly arrived to offend if it’s the only way of life you’ve Eighteen months ago she was described young Asian doctor in the hospital where ever known. The eradication of poverty has as a member of the liberal, metropolitan she worked in Doncaster. driven much of my desire to get involved in elite. This staunch Conservative and NHS When my father lost his business, my politics. It led me as a student to join the radiographer, who’s lived her entire life parents plans changed. I went to the Conservative Party and re-join in 2002. in North Nottinghamshire, probably local Grammar School in Worksop, which I believe in fairness; it’s never struck me took the most offence at being called a became the Hartland Comprehensive as fair that a child from the most deprived ‘liberal’. But she shouldn’t – it’s a huge a couple of years later. A huge part of family shouldn’t have the opportunity and compliment.

Sam Hall is Research overview Head of Research at Bright Blue

Sam Hall updates us on Bright Blue’s research programme

t has been a busy few months for our first speech by a Prime Minister on the younger voters has been credited with energy and environment team with environment in 14 years. Bright Blue’s influencing the Government’s new focus ITheresa May starting 2018 with the research on the political attitudes of on the environment, with our recent polling BRIGHT BLUE POLITICS 25

>> analysis of under 40s showing that leading thinkers on the Left and Right injustices’ which the Prime Minister has climate change is the second top issue of British politics to propose new ideas identified, which will be launched soon that they want to hear senior politicians for the next stage of workplace pension in the Houses of Parliament. We have discuss more, after health. reform after the introduction of automatic also got underway with new research to Before Christmas, we set out our vision enrolment. We will shortly be publishing a better understand the experiences of the for the future of rural payments after the follow-up paper setting out where our two claimants who were involved in the initial UK leaves the EU’s Common Agricultural organisations see that consensus lying. stages of the Universal Credit rollout. Policy. We proposed a new market-based In the next couple of months, Bright Despite the continued focus on Brexit, commissioning scheme where farmers Blue will publish its research mapping Bright Blue has been producing research and land owners bid to supply different the relationship between immigration and and policy ideas that address the full range environmental services to public and levels of trust in different parts of the UK, of challenges facing the UK. With many private bodies. We also hosted a day- as part of our Integrated Britain theme. more exciting research projects coming long conference on ‘green conservatism’, Finally, our social reform research up, we will continue to develop and featuring four panel discussions and programme has been compiling a cross- champion new liberal conservative ideas speeches from the Climate Change party essay collection on different ‘burning in the months ahead. Minister , the Committee on Climate Change Chair Lord Deben, and former Conservative Leader Lord Howard. In the coming months, we will publish a report on the UK’s Climate Change Act, analysing the main scientific and technological developments since this world-leading legislation was passed ten years ago and proposing ways to Join Bright Blue strengthen it. Bright Blue is also examining the sources of and trends in air pollution Becoming a member of Bright Blue enables you in the UK and assessing the different legislative options for improving the legal to support and partake in the championing of protections from air pollution. And our liberal conservatism. conservation project will produce its first output, an essay collection, in which Join today for £20 per year (students, pensioners leading conservationists and centre-right and unemployed £10). policymakers analyse the challenges to conservation and generate innovative policy ideas to address them. Under our human rights and Benefits include: discrimination theme, we published a detailed study of what Conservative • An invitation to our exclusive members-only voters really think about human rights and reception each year with high-profile speakers discrimination, which unearthed support for the UK to promote human rights as part • Hard copies of our quarterly magazine of its foreign policy. In the coming months, we will host a major conference on human • A special members pass for the annual rights with leading decision makers and Bright Blue Conference opinion formers. Turning to our ageing society theme, we published an essay collection with the Fabian Society that brought together FORCE FOR GOOD? 26

Tamworth Prize winner 2017 What are today’s ‘burning injustices’ The Tamworth Prize is our annual essay competition for young people aged 21 or under. It is a chance for young people to explain what sort and how should of centre-right Britain needs today. conservatives go about tackling them?

David Verghese

ustice has always been a principle at the heart of conservative politics J– from Baldwin’s talk of a ‘union of all classes’ to the introduction of same-sex marriage in 2013 by David Cameron. Injustice is inimical to the basic conservative premise that a country’s heritage and institutions can only be preserved through harmony between all segments of society – men and women, city and town, rich and poor. It is precisely this which makes it so urgent to address one of the great injustices of our time: the generational wealth gap.

“Authentic conservatism cannot exist in a society in which the youth grow increasingly poor whilst older generations accumulate more and more wealth.”

Any examination of this divide throws up a variety of alarming statistics. Younger generations are on track to have less wealth than older ones at every stage in their life; the youth unemployment rate is three times as high as the rate for the country at large; the number of young adults owning their own home has BRIGHT BLUE POLITICS 27

>> dropped by fifty percent in two assets beyond a certain level in the high a much more useful form of education decades. At the same time, the wealth hundreds of thousands of pounds, akin than studying a degree of limited value of older generations continues to rise, to the French model – something which for three years. This investment might protected by the triple lock on pensions would enable a movement of wealth from take the form of funding an expansion of and buoyed by far higher rates of home older homeowners towards younger apprenticeships, or setting up technical ownership. generations. Payment of the tax could colleges to teach value-adding skills that Conservatives can no longer afford to be delayed till after death, mitigating the can be used in industry. remain oblivious to this. Not only is it a impact upon poorer taxpayers. For those who opt to attend university, serious dereliction of duty by the state, This sum of taxpayers’ money would the flaws of the present system governing it will eventually become an issue that serve more use if channelled by the tuition fees should be ironed out. will punish Conservative candidates at government to causes which would Conservatives should advocate strongly for the ballot box. For the sake of preserving help young working families. It could, the government to take action against the social harmony, it is imperative that action for instance, allow an expansion of the much-maligned Student Loans Company, be taken to redress the growing gap Help to Buy scheme, enabling more which has alienated many young people between generations. families to enter the property market for with its poor management and customer What form should this action take? I the first time; equally it could be used to service. Another effective policy might suggest that conservatives should advocate fund a major home-building program to be to reintroduce government-funded for a redistribution of wealth between the develop the supply of housing in Britain. bursaries for students studying technical generations, reducing subsidies towards disciplines at highly academic universities; pensioners and using the savings to make “Injustice is inimical to this would include restoring bursaries for home ownership more attainable for young the basic conservative student nurses. people. Simultaneously they should work premise that a country’s Beyond investing in education, to address issues such as education and heritage and institutions government should also make work pay for employment, where younger generations can only be preserved young people. For too many, the mere fact stand at a disadvantage compared to through harmony between of employment does not mean financial older ones. all segments of society – security and rewarding work. One way that One such subsidy which stands as a men and women, city and conservatives could improve this situation particularly invidious example of over- town, rich and poor.” is through increasing the rate at which the generous state largesse is the triple National Living Wage rises, and bolstering lock on pensions. Though its removal In addition to this, government should in-work benefits. Robust enforcement was mooted prior to the 2017 general also encourage more older people to of employment regulations will become election, those plans were quietly shelved. downsize, freeing up valuable household increasingly important as more workers British pensioners will continue to have spaces. This could be done through not enter the ‘gig economy’, and conservatives their pensions uprated at one of the most collecting stamp duty on sales involving must make it clear that they support generous rates in Europe; a policy costing downsizing, or through subsidising the dignified and safe jobs for workers. billions each year. It is profoundly against construction of affordable housing stock Authentic conservatism cannot exist in a conservative principles to allow such a designed for the elderly. society in which the youth grow increasingly thinly veiled electoral bribe to stand. Beyond root-and-branch reforms to old- poor whilst older generations accumulate The OBR suggests that changing age benefits, conservatives should also more and more wealth. A conservative from a triple lock to an uprating system seek to address the concerns of young government should embrace the possibility linked to inflation would save £2.3bn voters regarding tertiary education. This of using the state as a tool to redress this per annum by 2021-22. To this can be should not mean revisiting the now-settled inequality. The result – a new generation of added the money saved from introducing question of tuition fees, but developing home-owning, prosperous young Britons other fiscally prudent common-sense alternative pathways to an expensive – should reinvigorate the economy and the economies into the budget; means- university education to help young country as a whole. testing benefits such as the winter fuel people access employment. In particular, allowance and bus passes. A more conservatives should support considerable David Verghese is the winner of radical mechanism for redistribution might investment in vocational training and the 2017 Tamworth Prize and be to impose a small wealth tax on net apprenticeships; for many, this will form studies at Cambridge University. BRIGHT BLUE POLITICS 28

James Dobson is a Transparent diplomacy Senior Researcher at Bright Blue

James Dobson argues the Government should establish a new, independent Human Rights Advisory Committee

he visit of the Saudi Arabian Crown country that Conservatives thought had the Crown Prince has reduced the power of Prince, Mohammad bin Salman, second worst record was . Saudi Arabia’s religious police, reduced T to the UK recently has once again This concern from Conservative voters, gender segregation, and promoted mixed brought to focus Britain’s alliances with as well as more left-wing voters, presents a entertainment. And, soon, Saudi women countries that have particularly poor human problem for the British Government and the will be able to drive for the first time. rights records. Conservative Party. Ignoring voters’ unease These changes may seem lacklustre by Saudi Arabia has long been considered here would be unwise. Western standards, but they represent a close friend of Britain. We are heavily significant change in the extremely reliant on the Gulf State for intelligence, “The visit of the Saudi conservative Saudi Arabia. particularly in relation to Islamic terrorist Arabian Crown Prince, The very nature of behind-the-scenes plots, and the country is an important Mohammad bin Salman, diplomacy makes it difficult to determine strategic partner in a particularly to the UK this month has how much of this liberalisation can be unstable region. once again brought to attributed to British pressure. However, we However, the poor human rights record focus Britain’s alliances do know that Britain has been pushing for of Saudi Arabia is unequivocal. It has been with countries that have liberalisation. For instance, last December, lambasted by the United Nations for its particularly poor human The Telegraph reported that Saudi Arabia conduct in the Yemeni Civil War, it is one rights records.” would allow food and fuel shipments into of the world’s most frequent users of the following British pressure, while death penalty, and it practises significant But the alternatives are equally difficult. the former Defence Secretary, Michael gender segregation. The Labour Party seemingly continues Fallon, revealed that Britain was effective This record has led to more left-wing to call for Britain to utilise so-called in convincing Saudi Arabia to renounce its parties, and particularly the Labour Party, ‘megaphone diplomacy’ rather than close previous use of cluster bombs. to criticise the British Government for its engagement. Megaphone diplomacy ongoing close friendship with Saudi Arabia. refers to the practice of pressuring foreign “This record has led to The leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy countries through press announcements more left-wing parties, Corbyn, has called on Britain to end arms and public statements rather than through and particularly the Labour trade with the Gulf State and to further behind-the-scenes, private negotiations. Party, to criticise the disengage with the country. But there’s good reason to believe British government for its However, criticism of Britain’s that behind-the-scenes diplomacy is ongoing close friendship relationship with allies who practise poor frequently far more effective in improving with Saudi Arabia.” human rights is not just confined to the left. human rights abroad than its louder Last July, Bright Blue polled over 2,000 counterpart. Returning to the example Yet these apparent successes do not Conservative voters. We asked these of Saudi Arabia, the Foreign and appear to be convincing the British public voters to name the countries that they Commonwealth Office (FCO) can point that our alliance with countries such as believed had the the worst human rights to a number of areas where the Gulf State Saudi Arabia are fruitful. Part of the reason records. The country that topped the list has liberalised over the past few years. for this is the discrete nature of the FCO. was, unsurprisingly, North Korea. But the In less than a year of office, its young Unlike departments such as Department BRIGHT BLUE POLITICS 29

>> for International Development, the FCO advantages if the FCO chose to publish tasked with advising the FCO on setting publishes little data on its success. Indeed, all of the results of its diplomatic efforts. targets for its human rights work, holding two years ago, the Foreign Affairs Select But, as the public become increasingly the FCO to account for meeting these Committee stated that the FCO was not sceptical of our alliances, than, perhaps, targets, and identifying countries with open enough in regard to the effectiveness the FCO should become a little more open particularly poor human rights records. of its human rights work. and accountable. The creation of such a body would allow There are many good reasons for the That is why Bright Blue is calling on the FCO to continue practising effective FCO to be somewhat less open than other the Government to establish a new and behind-the-scenes diplomacy while government departments. Behind-the- independent Human Rights Advisory ensuring the FCO remains accountable and scenes diplomacy would lose many of its Committee (HRAC). The HRAC would be demands the trust of the British public.

Individual identity James Dobson, Freddie Lloyd and Ryan Shorthouse

Discrimination and the abuse of human rights are immoral, unjust and illegal barriers to individual freedom and flourishing. Tackling them should be at the heart of conservative thinking and policymaking. However, conservatives are often considered

Understanding how conservatives think to be sceptical of measures to about human rights and discrimination strengthen human rights and tackle Individual discrimination. This polling report identity unearths in detail what Conservatives James Dobson, Freddie Lloyd – including those from different and Ryan Shorthouse social groups – really think about the existence of, importance of, and measures on human rights and discrimination. BRIGHT BLUE POLITICS 30

A record to be proud of Eamonn Ives is a Researcher at Bright Blue

Eamonn Ives examines how Britain is leading the fight against climate change both at home and abroad

ritish people like talking about Yet, whilst the technologies needed ‘Powering Past Coal Alliance’ – a group the weather. What is not talked to counter climate change are of course of governments, businesses and other Babout so much, however, is the vital, there must also be political leadership organisations united in the objective of United Kingdom’s record on climate. to go with it. A notable example of this in phasing out coal-fired power generation Specifically, tackling some of the main Britain has been the cross-party Climate globally. drivers of climate change is something Change Act 2008 (CCA), which binds which Britain has excelled at since the the UK to reduce its greenhouse gas “The nation’s automotive problem of anthropogenic climate change emissions by at least 80% of 1990 levels pedigree is embracing received general consensus in the late- by 2050. Not only has the CCA committed electric vehicles, with 20th Century. Indeed, at our ‘Green Britain to curtail its own emissions, but it plants in Sunderland, conservatism’ conference held last year, has also been copied abroad in Mexico Oxford, and the West both the Energy Minister, Claire Perry, and Sweden, showing that it is not just Midlands set to produce and the former leader of the Conservative British goods that are exportable, but its thousands of vehicles Party, Lord Howard, boasted of how laws, too. each year.” Britain has concomitantly led the G7 Another innovative policy helping in both decarbonisation and per-capita to combat climate change is Britain’s Sadly, conservatives are often economic growth since 1990. ‘Contracts for Difference’ auctions in the regarded as apathetic towards tackling Central to such success has been energy sector. These reverse auctions climate change. Yet polling which Bright the wide array of – often exportable – provide guarantees for investment in low- Blue conducted returned results which technologies, designed and manufactured carbon power generation, and by virtue of challenge that assumption. A clear majority in Britain. The nation’s automotive their design have helped to halve the costs of Conservative voters (71%) feel proud pedigree is embracing electric vehicles, of subsidy awarded to offshore wind in just of the UK’s world-leading CCA, and only with plants in Sunderland, Oxford, and the two years. a handful of Conservative voters (14%) West Midlands set to produce thousands Internationally, Britain has long been believe Britain should not try to influence of vehicles each year. On electricity, Britain a leading force in championing global environmental issues in foreign countries. is both consuming ever more renewable cooperation on tackling climate change: Whilst it is true that the UK has often power (up to a quarter of demand last from Margaret Thatcher’s 1989 speech to paved the way on addressing climate year) and has established itself as a the UN General Assembly, to Britain being change, Britain is not alone in this regard. world leader in building the infrastructure a prominent member of the ‘high ambition Both New Zealand and Sweden have gone needed to generate it – over 36% of coalition’ during the negotiations of the one step further by adopting ‘net zero’ installed wind capacity globally is British. 2015 Paris Agreement, to developing the targets on greenhouse gas emissions, In less publicised sectors, but those which International Climate Fund – which will whereby any emissions produced are nonetheless contribute significantly to provide almost £10 billion towards tackling entirely offset. Indeed, the Paris Agreement climate change, for instance agriculture, climate change across the world. More commits signatories to doing just this. If British research is designing technologies recently, the Government has heeded Britain wants to maintain its pioneering to help decelerate the pace of climate Bright Blue’s calls for domestic and position in this space, amending the CCA change – such as drones and satellite international action on the phasing out of to legally enshrine a net zero target would mapping software. coal, by convening along with the be a good place to start. DEFENCE OF THE REALM 31

Peter Quentin is a Acting in Alliance research fellow in charge of Royal United Services Institute’s land warfare Peter Quentin sets out why NATO is still indispensable studies

hat is the most potent instability in Northern Africa, it is NATO’s Europe of NATO’s centrality to continental capability in the arsenal of Her south-eastern and southern flanks that defence. Yet NATO leadership must come W Majesty’s Armed Forces? The now appear similarly exposed after several from individual member states as much as Queen Elizabeth Carrier? The state-of- decades of taking their stability, and our the Secretary General and perhaps it is the-art F-35 jets? Or, perhaps, the nuclear security, for granted. time to ‘ask not what the Alliance can do deterrent? The greatest threat to NATO, however, for us, but what our nation can do for the Counter to the more simplistic elements is from within; due to the denial of its Alliance’. of our national defence debate. Our centrality to European territorial defence, The UK already provides considerable security cannot be calculated by arithmetic and defence, and falling victim to the forces and our Armed Forces are serving means of tanks, planes and ships, Instead, fracturing pressures of those external overseas in the Balkans and Mediterranean it relies upon membership of the North threats. These are being partially (with HMS Albion leading the NATO Task Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). magnified, not least by ‘rogue ally’ Turkey, Group, proving that amphibious ships Established for Europe to ‘keep the desperately balancing its own regional and can do so much more than just assault Russians out, Americans in and Germans domestic pressures in the swirling proxy beaches!) as well as continuing their down’, it continues to achieve two of the wars of the Levant. enduring operation in Afghanistan and three, having long since realised the latter The Middle East has long been an contributing to a whole host of standing needs reversing as a cold wind blows in arena competing for US attention, making tasks and structures like the NATO from the East. After a period of ‘global it evermore challenging to keep ‘America Readiness Forces and HQ Allied Rapid policing’ on expeditionary operations, in’. The current President may be the Reaction Corps. NATO is back in the business of territorial first since 1949 to actively question the Britain’s contribution is, however, far defence and increasingly has become the Alliance, but even his predecessor talked more than the sum of personnel and centre of gravity for UK defence. of ‘pivots’: continental responsibilities equipment, with considerable numbers Therefore, it seems an odd time to mismatched with commitments to of British civilians working within the question the utility and future of the collective defence and the expectation that International Staff and several senior Alliance, albeit under renewed threat both Europe should care more about its own military roles. So surely the UK already externally and internally. defence, in contrast to defence consuming does its bit? Perhaps, but NATO is much Externally, the Eastern flank, High allies from across the Atlantic. more than a military alliance. It is an North and Atlantic have all witnessed That situation highlights the importance inherently political organisation which, in increasingly aggressive Russian posturing of long-term institutional investments, yet the context of Brexit, will become the UK’s in what have become the most obvious the 2% target remains an aspirational primary means of political-military support, fronts in a ‘Retro Cold War’. But the figure for most member states and, with influence and leadership within Europe – contemporary Russian threat is more multi- Chancellor Merkel’s reliance on a grand regardless of the Prime Minister’s intended dimensional; with efforts to re-establish coalition, omitting to pledge to the target, security treaty. itself at the top table of international even the largest continental ally looks At a time of growing competition, affairs, driving its disruptive activities from likely to continue under-delivering on its uncertainty and fragmentation within the the Baltics to Balkans and further afield in commitments. international community, it is important the Eastern Mediterranean and Syria. The Secretary General, Jens that a newly independent UK government Combined with migration flows and Stoltenberg, has done much to remind invests in healthy, relevant and inclusive DEFENCE OF THE REALM 32

>> intergovernmental institutions. The structure is eventually established by the but ideological overmatch. international rules-based order is the EU – and emphasise mutual interests over Those are fine words, familiar and greatest defence and platform available transactional obligations, as a dynamic appealing to liberal conservatives, but a to a truly Global Britain, requiring both alliance for the protection and projection of public declaration of further investment plentiful carrots and a generously shared values. in them would demonstrate that, for resourced but judiciously employed stick. The liberal order may be under great post-Brexit UK, NATO remains the NATO can be both of those things, but threat, but that only reinforces the indispensable alliance. This July’s Brussels requires our political investment. significance of an intergovernmental, summit offers the Prime Minister a perfect The UK can and should act as a driver alliance-based response which opportunity to signal the relocation of our for transatlantic security cooperation emphasises its greatest asset against national commitment across town, from – seeking to complement rather than revisionist states and actors everywhere, the EU’s ‘European Quarter’ to the new compete with whichever supranational not through superior defence capabilities, headquarters of a renewed Alliance.

The relevance of our deterrence The Rt Hon Julian Lewis MP is Chair of the In our age of mass weaponry, the Rt Hon Julian Lewis MP makes the case for Trident

n June 1945, Professor Sir Henry Tizard they must also be unavoidable. will be no more predictable than those and other top military scientists secretly Since 1969, the UK’s ability to inflict which engulfed us throughout the 20th Ireported on the impact on future warfare such retaliation has been continuously Century. This is why we keep armed forces of new weapons systems. They explained guaranteed by the ’s Polaris in peacetime as a national insurance why – if the atomic bomb actually worked and Trident missile submarines. The policy. No one knows which enemies – the only protection against it would be present Vanguard class will eventually might confront us during the next 30 to 50 the ability to retaliate: “A knowledge that be succeeded by the new Dreadnought years, but it is highly probable that at least we were prepared, in the last resort, to class, currently under construction. The some of them will be armed with mass- do this might well deter an aggressive parliamentary majority for initiating this destruction weapons. nation. Duelling was a recognised method programme was 248 in March 2007, Second, it is not the weapons of settling quarrels between men of high rising to a massive 355 when the final themselves which we have to fear, but social standing so long as the duellists decision was taken on 18 July 2016. the nature of the regimes which possess stood twenty paces apart and fired at each Such a huge majority demonstrated that them. Whereas democracies are generally other with pistols of a primitive type. If the most Labour MPs remained committed to reluctant to use nuclear weapons against rule had been that they should stand a yard renewing Trident, despite the installation non-nuclear dictatorships (though apart with pistols at each other’s hearts, of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament President Truman did against Japan in we doubt whether it would long have stalwart, Jeremy Corbyn, as their leader. 1945), the reverse is not true. Think, for remained a recognised method of settling Having debated the pros and cons example, of a non-nuclear Britain in 1982 affairs of honour.” of nuclear deterrence with countless facing an in possession of a few Tizard’s analogy correctly identified the unilateralists, including Jeremy himself, for tactical nuclear bombs and the means of two central features of successful military nearly 40 years, I have had plenty of time delivering them. deterrence: that the consequences of to formulate my case succinctly. Third, the United Kingdom traditionally aggression must be unacceptable, but that First, future military threats and conflicts has played a more important and decisive DEFENCE OF THE REALM 33

>> role in preserving freedom than other overrunning the United Kingdom with enemy. The atomic bombing of Japan is medium-sized states have been able or conventional forces, in contrast to our especially instructive – not only because willing to do. Democratic countries without more vulnerable allies, an aggressor the Emperor was forced to surrender, nuclear weapons have little choice but to could be tempted to use one or more but also in terms of the reverse scenario: declare themselves neutral and hope for the mass-destruction weapons against us, imagine if Japan had developed atomic best, or to rely upon the nuclear umbrella on the assumption that the United States bombs in the summer of 1945 and the of powerful allies. The United Kingdom is would not reply on our behalf. Even if that Allies had not. An invasion to end the war a nuclear power already, and is also much assumption were false, the attacker would would have been out of the question. harder to defeat by conventional means find out their mistake when, and only Trident is not a panacea and is not because of our physical separation from the when, it was too late for all concerned. An designed to forestall every type of threat. continent. independently-controlled British nuclear Its mission is unchanged: to minimise the Fourth, our prominence as the principal deterrent massively reduces the prospect prospect of the United Kingdom being ally of the United States, our strategic of such a fatal miscalculation. attacked by mass-destruction weapons. geographical position, and the fact that Fifth, no quantity of conventional It is the ultimate ‘stalemate weapon’ – we are obviously the junior partner, might forces can compensate for the military and, in the nuclear age, stalemate is the tempt an aggressor to risk attacking disadvantage which faces a non-nuclear most reliable source of security available us separately. Given the difficulty of country in a war against a nuclear-armed to us all.

Fighting fit James Wharton served in the Household Cavalry from 2003 to 2013 James Wharton looks at ways the government can attract and is the author of and retain people in the army Out in the Army

ecruitment in the numerous fine infantry regiments that other, quite frankly, dangerous. I base this depends on one thing: a make up the splendour of our army’s main statement on the language, imagery and R prospective soldier’s understanding fighting units arms. Or does one opt to tone of the new cartoon adverts presented that, ultimately, they may have to kill give a particular skill to the wider effort in January this year by the MoD that they other human beings deemed enemies of of defending this nation in times of war, hope will fill a substantial hole in a personnel this country, and actually that this may perhaps as an engineer, chef or medic? crisis currently being felt by our army. also result in their own injury or death. A useful analogy may be the opting to “Can I ask for emotional support?” Because the army operates as a volunteer participate in different Sunday activities; asks one character in an advert, another organisation, this bottom line possibility some chose extreme sports, jumping out of voice says, “Is it OK to cry?” In none acts as a natural sift to military employment. planes or rock-climbing, while others opt to of the scenes are there images that reflect You either accept the situation or you do take a leisurely walk on a hillside, and some the realities of conflict, and at no point not, and if you fall into the latter category, will prefer to stay indoors by the fire. It’s does the material point out that the army you just do not fill in the application form. all a choice, but each knows the dangers exists for one purpose, and one purpose Then there is another choice: does potentially waiting for them in each option. alone: war. one put oneself directly in the firing Of late, a risk has emerged that may I am not suggesting that the young line, as it were, and join a front line and blur this situation: the Ministry of Defence people watching these adverts are void solely combat-focused regiment, say the (MoD)’s new approach to recruitment is of the fact that they may have to shoot Parachute regiment or any one of the on one hand embarrassing, but on the somebody as part of their duties one DEFENCE OF THE REALM 34

>> day, but what the adverts do allude about why there is a recruitment crisis their efforts to downsize manpower, and to, carelessly, is that there may be some occurring in the British Army at the the folk on the streets have had their heads sort of choice in the matter. Let me be moment is needed? If I were handed the turned by other opportunities. A 16-year- clear: you cannot introduce the idea at any responsibility of writing an agenda for that old kid from any town or city in this country point in the recruitment process that one conversation, I would start by pointing out has more opportunities than any generation day, as a soldier, there is give in how you that the best recruitment tool the army before to do something different, and with can respond to a lawful order issued by a ever has is conflict itself. Because of the a missing social consciousness of conflict senior rank in the field of war. When the natural sift I described earlier, seeing from everyday life, they are pursuing balloon goes up, when the whistle is blown, images of war on the six o’clock news, those opportunities, education or work- when the command is given, you need to looking at pictures in newspapers of Union based, instead of committing to a life in be firing that rifle, fixing that bayonet and Flag-draped coffins carrying fallen soldiers the military. Cleverly constructed, and by charging towards an enemy position fully through the streets of Wootton Bassett, that I mean misleading, cartoon adverts aware that death may be an outcome and reading tales of gallantry when pertaining to show a life unfamiliar to those of the situation for all parties concerned. medals are awarded for bravery will make who are currently serving, is not going to It is not the most pleasant of thoughts, those who have an inclination for armed cement the shortfall in new signups to our I concede, but let’s not dress it up or service naturally gravitate towards military army. But, in the absence of war, adverts disguise the fact with misleading marketing recruitment offices. We just spent the that show ultimately what the game is all materials drawn up by some over-paid best part of 15 years fighting two bloody about, stand a better chance of getting millennial who sits on a bean-bag in an wars, and during that period there was no those numbers filled, and of course by the office with a ping-pong table. recruitment crisis. Defence cuts led by the right sort of men and women: those who Perhaps some honest conversation 2010 Coalition Government overshot in are prepared to fight.

Dr Julia Rushchenko is Jihadis and justice a Research Fellow at the Centre for the Response to Radicalisation and Can Britian bring jihadis to justice? Dr Julia Rushchenko explores Terrorism at the Henry Jackson Society

s the Islamic State loses territorial controversial Aarhus experiment. policies make it easier to prevent potentially control of its caliphate, more Since 2013 many European states have radicalised individuals from returning to A foreign fighters are returning home been calling for accelerated implementation Britain. On the other hand, in the case from Syria and Iraq, generating new security of measures to stop people from travelling of a person with only one nationality, the threats linked to the dangers of homegrown to support ISIS. But not all have been international law prohibits the revocation jihadism in Europe. consistent in putting words into action. of citizenship unless certain exceptions to There is a heated debate in the UK over Britain is the exception to this rule. the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of what to do with the returnees: prosecute Besides prosecution strategies, travel Statelessness are satisfied. them? Ban them from re-entry? Strip bans and criminalising unauthorised Putting aside for the moment the them of their nationality, as ‘citizenship is participation in foreign wars, nationality criticism it sometimes generates from the a privilege, not a right’? It would certainly revocation has been used more than international human rights community, prove controversial to offer them assistance 100 times to strip ISIS fighters of British citizenship revocation as a measure with housing, healthcare and jobs, as citizenship. of tackling extremism is based on two done by Denmark in the framework of the On the one hand, denationalisation considerations. First, it is supposed to act DEFENCE OF THE REALM 35

>> as a deterrent, stopping people we judged them to be ‘naive’ and accept jail sentence in Copenhagen. from joining terrorist movements abroad. that they could have been deceived and Should the aspect of morality be Although the individuals who adopt lured into extremist organisations, we will considered for counter terrorism laws, Islamist rhetoric might be dismissive of a only increase the potential security threats including how militant groups and their Western nation-state as a political concept, from homegrown jihadism over the coming supporters are defined in legislation? How citizenship of these states offers many decades. Every terrorist foreign fighter should European policymakers approach practical benefits: including international has to receive a criminal justice response the dilemma between what constitutes mobility, access to social welfare, and upon their return to Britain, and it has to a ‘terrorist’ or a ‘freedom fighter’ when unlimited entry and residence in certain be judicially supervised, proportionate and it comes to European citizens fighting countries. Assuming that foreign fighters transparent. against ISIS? are rational actors, if the losses outweigh However, a question that so far has been As Britain prepares to leave the the potential benefits, they might be virtually absent from the public debate, is European Union, with many fearing a discouraged from taking risks. how to treat those returnees who are not, in decline in her impact on policy-making, it Second, denationalisation policies fact, terrorist combatants. is important to remember that the country are often approached through the prism James Matthews, a former British Army has proved a leader in combating terrorism of allegiance to Western liberal values, soldier who fought on the frontline against and organised crime on the European morality and membership. Besides rights ISIS militants with the Kurdish People’s continent. It is crucial that in the wake of and obligations, citizenship implies a Protection Units (YPG), is about to be Brexit, Britain continues to set the tone certain political bond with a community charged with “attending a place used for for approaches to de-radicalisation and and identification with a number of values. terrorist training”. This is not the first case counter-extremism, as she has been doing By travelling to join a terrorist movement when a soldier who fought on the side of the in the last decade with the CONTEST abroad, returnees destroy the allegiances coalition promoting the very principles that strategy, intelligence gathering, border between themselves and the state, and can liberal democracies are proud of is about to surveillance and other counter-terrorism no longer expect all the benefits stemming be put on the same footing as ISIS followers. initiatives. The issue of morality is just one from their citizenship. In 2016, Joanna Palani, a Danish citizen who of the many complex aspects to consider If we were to avoid applying any fought for the Kurdish Peshmerga in Iraq and while crafting a response to transnational criminal sanctions to returnees because the YPG in Syria, was arrested and faced a jihadism. DEFENCE OF THE REALM 36

Nick King was a special Sticking with the deal adviser between 2012 and 2017 and has lived and worked in the Middle East As President Trump criticises the 2015 Deal, Nick King urges Britain to burnish its diplomatic credentials and keep it alive

recent Private Eye cover featured China and Russia) and was hailed on all In September last year the stakes were Jacob Rees-Mogg, resplendent sides as a triumph of perseverance and raised when Trump used a speech to call A in top hat and tails, urging us to diplomatic determination. the deal an “embarrassment to the US” and “throw off the shackles of the EU and Within weeks and months the fruits by October he had upgraded “a bad deal” trade freely with Persia, Mesopotamia of the JCPoA became clear. The UK to “one of the worst...ever” and announced and Cathay.” and Iran reopened embassies in each he would walk away from the JCPoA unless Jokes aside, and despite the other’s capitals, trade missions poured its “serious flaws” were fixed. The sorts of publication’s sneering tone, a simple truth in from all around the world, and Renzi, flaws he pointed to included the presence exists: encouraging more and freer trade Hollande and Xi announced commercial of sunset clauses regarding Iranian activity with the erstwhile Persia represents our agreements worth tens of billions of and the deal failing to cover ballistic missile best hope of normalising relations with pounds. Simultaneously, Iran moderated testing, but his language suggested a much Iran and bringing it back into the their nuclear activity and each time more fundamental opposition to the Iranian international fold. International Atomic Energy Association regime itself. The ambition to move towards a (IAEA) representatives have conducted In January of this year, Trump issued friendlier and more constructive relationship their regular site inspections, Iran has been a final warning and said that if the deal between Iran and western democracies found compliant with the deal. was not improved within 120 days then has been evident on both sides for some The approval of everyday Iranians has he would reinstate sanctions. We remain time. Increasingly isolated during the been clear at the ballot box. In the 2016 unsure as to what his next step might be. tenure of President Ahmadinejad between elections, only 12 of the 81 MPs who Alongside the uncertainty generated 2005 and 2013, the Iranian people made supported ending the nuclear negotiations by Trump, matters of trade and their feelings known by electing moderate were returned and, for the first time, more investment remain more difficult than Rouhani in 2013. He has brought in women than clerics were elected to the many hoped. Visas remain a challenge promising economic and social reform and Majlis – the Iranian parliament. These for business people on both sides but, shown his willingness to moderate Iran’s results, and the re-election of Rouhani more fundamentally, banking and finance nuclear ambitions in return for an easing of himself in 2017, show the Iranian people’s channels are sclerotic and expensive at international sanctions. rejection of the hardliners who exist in the best, and blocked off entirely at worst. The discussions had been going on for Revolutionary Guard, the Basij (or religious Most of the world’s banks remain nervous some thirteen years, but it was just police) and the Majlis. about the implications of remaining US two years after Rouhani’s election that But despite these successes, dark sanctions which prevent US nationals the clumsily named ‘Joint Comprehensive clouds now loom over the JCPoA. Whilst doing business with Iran (a particular Plan of Action’ (JCPoA) was agreed in standing for President, Donald Trump issue here given the preponderance of US July 2015. It committed Iran to a series reffered to this agreement as “a bad deal” nationals in UK banks) and restrictions of measures designed to prevent it from and his criticism has not waned since abound around both dollar and sterling developing nuclear weapon capacity and, assuming office. Last year, he launched clearing, diminishing trade opportunities. in return, they would benefit from phased a ‘comprehensive policy review’ towards Our country faces a particular problem sanctions relief. The deal was agreed Iran and, despite the clean bills of health as payments from Iran need to come to between Iran and the E3+3 (the UK, consistently being issued by IAEA monitors, the UK via third party countries, injecting France and Germany, alongside the USA, Trump has continued to talk down the deal. risk, delay and cost. As a result of these DEFENCE OF THE REALM 37

problems, many companies, British or the course. We are, of course, long-term more important than ever but, vitally, we otherwise, are either pausing trade and trusted partners of the Americans but the must strain every sinew to re-establish investment decisions, or steering clear of same does not go for the Iranians who still financial channels and get trade flowing Iran altogether. refer to the UK as ‘little Satan’ or the ‘old once again. It is therefore unsurprising that many Fox’. But the faltering nature of the JCPoA Such measures will demonstrate consider the JCPoA’s future under threat. presents an opportunity to demonstrate to to the Iranians that we are steadfast in the It must not be allowed to fail. Whatever Iran and the Iranian people the positive role deals we make; they will demonstrate our view of some elements of the Iranian we can play. to the world that Britain is determined to regime, the fact is we are more secure with Whether or not we are able to influence play a leading diplomatic role as it exits the the JCPoA than without it. The deal keeps and reassure the Americans – which must European Union; they will create trading Iran a safe distance from nuclear weapon be our primary aim – it would not do for us opportunities for British companies and capability. It bolsters Rouhani and weakens to join them in abandoning a deal which others besides. Perhaps most vitally, Iran’s dangerous hardline elements, helping we signed up to just over two years ago. however, they will help us normalise smooth the path for Iran to reconnect with Rather, if the Americans are to walk away, relations with a once great country whose the world and it brings new opportunities we must work with the remaining four decline has been tragic to see. But as for UK business and global trade. members of the E3+3 to ensure the deal its behaviour improves, and its fortunes Now, then, is the time for the UK to remains as intact as possible. increase, it can be a successful trading burnish its diplomatic credentials; we Diplomatic visits, easing of consular nation once again – perhaps even one have a vital role to play in steadying the services and ongoing recognition of the that Rees-Mogg might wish to trade ship and making sure all involved stay validity of the IAEA inspections become freely with. DEFENCE OF THE REALM 38

Damian Collins MP is Strongly soft the Chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee As power dynamics shift around the world, Damian Collins MP argues for enhancing Britain’s soft power

ritain is a cultural superpower, a across the world today. Both China and Government supports the service, but the world leader in education and the Russia have invested billions of pounds in Government and the BBC need to have an Barts, a creative hub where the best expanding their global reach and influence. open and honest conversation about what and the brightest come to develop the Launched in 2005, RT (then Russia the World Service should be, and whether very best content, which is enjoyed by Today) is now available in more than 100 it needs more funding. The television billions of people around the globe. Anyone countries, spreading hyper-partisan content channel could certainly be reformed, to who has been on a UK trade delegation to the benefit of the Kremlin. For its part, become more like World Service Radio, will tell you that our two exports that are China has put soft power at the heart of providing more than just the news on loop, guaranteed to open doors are Shakespeare its international expansion. Amongst other but informative and interesting programmes and Premier League football. Hence our things, it has vastly expanded its network that embody the values of both the BBC soft power, the ability to influence opinion of overseas schools and the distribution and the United Kingdom. and to obtain desirable outcomes through of party-controlled news content. This is We could also do more to support the attraction, is an essential asset to Britain’s an ever evolving and expanding picture, touring of cultural assets based here in the foreign policy. as authoritarian actors embrace new UK. The storage rooms of our museums Whilst a great deal of time and energy technologies. Evidence supplied by the and galleries are bursting with fascinating is dedicated to discussing ‘hard power’ major social media platforms to the US artefacts, scripts, and artworks, all of which assets – tanks, soldiers, battleships and Senate demonstrate just how adept could be out on tour across the globe. It submarines – significantly less attention Russian-based actors have become at is clear that growing economies across is given to supporting and increasing the manipulating public opinion through the the world have an insatiable appetite for scope of the United Kingdom’s soft power spreading of and disinformation. culture, so it would seem perverse not to arsenal. This may in part be because, unlike As a recent report from the National utilise the cultural assets at our disposal tangible pieces of military hardware, a great Endowment for Democracy highlights, as we seek to establish and expand our deal of what makes up our soft power is this is not principally about attraction or trading relationships in the post-Brexit intangible. People are attracted to the UK persuasion, it is about distraction and world. for a whole host of different reasons: the manipulation. Soft power is something, that, if forced, English language is the most widely spoken can backfire. As a nation we are fortunate in the world; Britain has educated more “It is time that the West that the foundations of our soft power world leaders than any other nation; films, stepped up, and more have been established over decades if television programmes, plays and books, boldly asserted its own not centuries. But, as autocratic powers made, produced and written in the UK, narrative.” have started to sharpen their soft power are consumed daily across the world – the to undermine democratic institutions, it is BBC alone reaches more than 150 million This is not always easy or time that we started to put greater weight people a week. straightforward, but as Professor on the soft power assets we already have, However, just because it is difficult to Christopher Hill and Sarah Beadle point and seek to support and expand them. quantify, soft power should not simply be out: “a balance must be struck that avoids The rewards will be economic, cultural forgotten or thought of as a secondary overt interference whilst ensuring cultivation and political, and as we seek to forge new issue. To understand why soft power is rather than neglect.” The BBC World relationships with countries across the more important than ever, one simply Service is a prime example of an asset globe, it is essential that we fully utilise all needs to take a look at what is going on that could be enhanced. It is right that the of the tools available to us. TEA FOR TWO 39

Laura Round is the TEA FOR TWO Editor of Centre Write and Communications WITH LORD HESELTINE Manager at Bright Blue

ore than six decades since Lord Heseltine’s first time standing for Parliament, he is still an influential voice M in British politics. This is made immediately clear as we sit down for tea and his phone goes off. It is the BBC Today Programme asking for his reaction to John Major’s latest intervention on Brexit.

“The purpose of politics is to exercise power. To exercise power in a parliamentary democracy, you have to achieve a consensus.”

The former Deputy Prime Minister has made no secret of opposing Brexit. He believes it’s Britain’s biggest mistake. “It remains my conviction that a medium-size nation state will find it increasingly difficult to exert an influence in the world, except in association with partners with shared ambitions and shared power.” A year on from the Prime Minister triggering Article 50, he is Conservative Party, which has always been a broad church. “The concerned about the impact it’s having on Britain’s reputation: purpose of politics is to exercise power. To exercise power in a “In Europe, they find it incomprehensible that we are opting out parliamentary democracy, you have to achieve a consensus.” He of a relationship which has served us so well over such a so long highlights the importance of the leadership embracing the centre- a period. And outside the European Union, there is a disbelief ground of politics. “The Conservatives didn’t win the election. that Britain should somehow believe that its self-interest is not David Cameron won it, by appealing outside the traditional interwoven with that of the European continent.” reaches of the party. That’s a very important lesson if one is to Lord Heseltine stresses the point that we are not yet ‘post- take politics seriously.” Brexit’ but that we are “in the middle of Brexit”. Therefore, he believes that “the Brexit performance – and Boris Johnson’s “ It remains my conviction that a medium- performance in that context – is the issue.” He adds that “our size nation state will find it increasingly reputation as a nation is essentially interwoven with the words difficult to exert an influence in the world, of the Foreign Secretary and his political postures. You cannot except in association with partners with sweep this aside.” He stresses: “nobody is giving advice to Boris”. shared ambitions and shared power.” He recounts the years of Michael Foot as Labour leader and is concerned that so few people remember the consequences of Reflecting on his long career in politics, I ask whether there are “Corbynesque” policies. During his time as Defence Secretary, any things he would have done differently. “One lived as one lived. Lord Heseltine was critical in the political battle against the One decided as one decided. I don’t look back on any moment Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. And “European self-interests in which I would have changed the decisions that I made. The are not guaranteed to be those of the United States”, he reminds. arguments for what I did seemed right at the time, and I haven’t At home, Lord Heseltine worries about the state of the had cause to be thinking.” 40

CULTURE

Eamonn Ives visits Tate Britain’s exhibition on impressionism. Philip Box reviews the film Darkest Hour and Ryan Shorthouse critiques Sir Lawrence Freedman’s new book on war.

Jack English – © 2017 CULTURE 41

Film: Darkest Hour Phillip Box is a Researcher at Bright Blue Directed by Joe Wharton

inston Churchill has very much Churchill’s wife, it is difficult to see how this been in vogue this season, could have been seamlessly achieved in the W from cafés to The Crown. One timeframe. question before watching Darkest Hour The pacing and suspense of the film was was, therefore, which Churchill would we be certainly strong. However, the Nazi threat getting? Would it be the typical jowly bulldog, – rather than bearing down inexorably and or something more? unstoppably – remained constant throughout. The film ticks along with a calendar-style Indeed, the main ‘threat’ in the film came from count from Chamberlain’s resignation to within both Churchill’s own party and Cabinet, the eve of Dunkirk. With less action than its something with inescapable parallels to today. competitors, the key to this film’s successes Whilst this slowed the plot in places, it was was clearly going to be its ability to maintain not generally enough to break the immersion. immersive suspense, pace, and interesting The main strength of the film was of course character interactions. Much of this was its tub-thumping, rabble-rousing speeches – ultimately going to hinge on Gary Oldman’s of which there were plenty – building to an performance as Churchill. ultimate crescendo. The most moving scene Most Churchill impersonators make the involved the Prime Minister’s impromptu mistake of going for a deep, wobbly voice, interaction with the public. Whilst historically whereas Churchill – as he sounds on the inaccurate, it was compelling all the same. radio – is a bit higher up the register. Gary Inevitably as a wartime biopic, it invites Oldman thankfully did not fall into the trap. comparison to Downfall. Far from following in Indeed, as the film progressed, it became Gary Oldman’s legacy in being both serious less and less easy to tell it was him under and black, the film contained the right balance all that makeup, although there was a scene of solemn wartime gravity and light-hearted near the beginning where this was touch and witticisms. The themes of peace and war go. Only when he raised his voice could you were expertly handled and suitably thought- occasionally hear a distressed Sirius Black or provoking, conveyed through a humanising Commissioner Gordon bubble up. focus on self-doubt. The film was particularly Generally, the cast of famous faces held effective in conveying uncertainty through the together well. Whilst it was possible to tell momentously difficult decisions faced by those those not blessed with a native British accent, in power, inviting the audience to question they steered clear of the usual caricature. With despite hindsight. such a panoply, inevitably some characters Overall, whilst not a seamless ride – and received less attention and development than in places destined to be the historian’s others. Although it would have perhaps been chew-toy – the film was a fittingly heroic nice to have some more development for tribute, one that certainly captured the secretary Elizabeth Layton, or more to do for rousing spirit of Churchill.

Jack English – © 2017 CULTURE 42

The future of war: A history by Sir Lawrence Freedman

Ryan Shorthouse is the devastation horrified, making European injecting diseases into people, are very dark Director of Bright Blue powers both weary and wary of warfare. indeed. Admittedly, as Freedman frequently So began the ‘long peace’, with jumps between fictional and historical stalemate between superpowers, fearful of sources, it is difficult – at times – to track mutually assured destruction. Interestingly, what was fantastical and what was real. the Americans dreaded another Pearl We have come full circle, really; Harbour: a surprise missile attack from the war today is once again increasingly Soviets. But the USSR was suspicious of considered, as it was two centuries ago, ir Lawrence Freedman, dubbed “the something different: a repeat of German as something that can be contained dean of British strategic studies” invasion by land. from civilians. Modern weaponry may Safter nearly four decades at the top Freedman is critical of the post-Soviet be drastically different compared to way of the renowned War Studies department optimists, most famously the academic back when, but there are many constant at King’s College London, has created a Professor Steven Pinker, who advocated assumptions and features about warfare comprehensive and illuminating account that human violence is constantly declining. that Freedman – through forensic research of changing cultural, public, military, and Inter-state violence has certainly decreased, and fascinating facts – demonstrates. political attitudes towards war since the but the 1990s were dominated by civil war, middle of the nineteenth century. with states battling against guerrilla groups. The duration of war has always been In this decade, roughly 90% of the world’s underappreciated, thanks to overconfidence most fatal cities were in South America, as in the delivery of a knockout blow. The drug cartels caused chaos. belief in brief battles was popular among By the turn of this century, technology European elites, especially following was rapidly developing, with aerial bombing successful crusades to unify Germany by impressively distant and precise. Western Bismarck in the 1860s and 1870s. In this powers became enthusiastic about classical conception, civilians could be kept humanitarian intervention. But, during away from the battlefield, although conflicts these crusades, asymmetry did not lead in the colonies were an exception to this. to annihilation: fightbacks, as ever, were Such optimism was eventually put to bed underrated. Foreign engagements became after the arduous Great Wars. entanglements, as resistance fighters used Yet, with patience and a plan, military sly and shameless measures. The public action can be successful: Freedman reveals in Western countries became deeply famous but also forgotten successes, sceptical and the age of intervention swiftly from NATO’s involvement in Bosnia in the terminated. 1990s to Britain’s intervention in Malaysia Freedman wisely avoids predicting the in the 1960s. next chapter for modern warfare. Though he By the Second World War, air power does describe the growing trends of cyber, The future of war: A history, Sir Lawrence had advanced enormously, leading to informational and unconventional warfare. Freedman; Allen Lane Publishing; indiscriminate bombing of whole cities, by The revelation of contemporary depictions 400 pages (Hardback), from £25.00. both the Axis powers and the Allies. The of future scenarios, such as tiny drones Published 5th October 2017. CULTURE 43

Exhibition: Eamonn Ives is a Impressionists in London Researcher at Bright Blue

ight and luminosity define Pissarro’s tropically blue Thames in impressionism. Yet it is darkness and Charing Cross Bridge, and the vibrant, L despair with which Impressionists verdant greens in his depictions of in London begins. Setting the premise to Hampton Court are magnificent. They the exhibition, a number of canvases and stand, perhaps poignantly, in stark contrast photographs document the trauma of a to the bleak austerity of those introductory France scarred by the Franco-Prussian paintings of the exhibition. War, and the infamous Paris Commune. It was these events of the Century which “It was these events

triggered thousands of French nationals, of the Century which Claude Monet Houses of Parliament, Sunlight Effect c.1903 including the now esteemed figures triggered thousands Oil paint on canvas 1048 x 1156 mm Brooklyn Museum of Art of which the impressionist movement of French nationals, comprised, to seek refuge in Britain. including the now However, if the first gallery was esteemed figures of Yet whilst they contain unmistakably sufficiently visually striking – and not least which the impressionist ‘London’ motifs, a note of discord rings historically beguiling – to whet one’s movement comprised, through – he was neither ‘in exile’, nor an appetite for a coordinated anthology to seek refuge impressionist. The fact he embarked to of painters driven by peril across the in Britain.” London in 1906 belies the very title of the Channel, disappointment only follows for exhibition. the next portion of the exhibition. Following James Abbott McNeill Indeed, it is perhaps this which After an introduction of the Whistler’s captivating Nocturnes is the encapsulates my dismay. The impressionists’ first forays into the British exhibition’s pinnacle – a smattering of masterpieces of Alfred Sisley, Tissot, art scene, and a flavour of James Tissot’s paintings from the inimitable Claude and Monet make sure of an agreeable reflections on English high society, Monet. Capturing the ghostly silhouette showcase of talent. But somewhere one is presented a frankly forgettable of the Palace of Westminster, engulfed in amongst the crude partitioning of profile on the works of Alphonse Legros. a once iconic London fog, appeals to the artists, the less than welcome surprise Compounding this sense of abject heart of impressionism as a concept – the of sculpture, and general incoherence, underwhelming is a cluttered gallery of exercise of capturing light en plein air. the exhibition falls limp. This is not an Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux sculpture, which Indeed, if there is one reason to attend exhibition which works organically, serves only to jar with what has gone this exhibition, Monet provides several. but rather seeks to force a narrative, before – and is still to come – in the His Thames Series, which hold the occasionally erroneously, and in doing exhibition. dimensions of the Palace fixed, and the so compromises itself irreparably. The Mercifully, as one approaches the two- light of the fading sun anything but, is a final, almost apologetic inclusion of the thirds point of the exhibition, the familiar, feat of chromatic brilliance which leaves distractingly vivid Derain smacks of an archetypal works of the impressionist one entranced. exhibition which knows it has not fulfilled movement come to the fore. Certainly, Concluding the exhibition, one is its potential. here, the exhibition which one expected treated to three works of André Derain. to see upon entering materialises. The The images are bright and cheerful, Impressionists in London runs until 7th optimistic generosity of colour in Camille and are certainly aesthetically pleasing. May 2018 at the Tate Britain, London. Centre Write Spring 2018

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Tom Tugendhat MP | Baroness Helic | Lord Heseltine | Shanker Singham