How Britain can build a new role for itself in the world

The battle has been lost and won; the hurlyburly’s done. Among the multitude of questions that now contend for pride of place, one is in danger of being overlooked: how to preserve as much British influence abroad as possible after the country leaves the European Union?

The first step is to recognise the deeper implication of that question. Our diplomats will now be fighting a holding action with a limited objective: the best outcome will be to save a proportion of what we once possessed.

Sadly, the promise that leaving the EU would automatically enhance our national power was always Panglossian. In truth, Britain’s global role depended, in large measure, on its proven ability to mobilise the whole of the EU behind its central foreign policy goals.

That power was demonstrated when Britain persuaded the EU to impose an oil embargo on Iran and sanctions on Russia in 2012 and 2014 respectively. If you want to understand a key foundation of Britain’s position in the world, then look no further than those decisions.

London used to be in the business of rallying the whole of the EU – jointly amounting to the biggest economy in the world – against Britain’s foes and in favour of its friends. Getting on the wrong side of Britain carried a possible price; being an ally brought real benefits.

The objective now must be to preserve as much of this ability to influence as possible – and that will require three crucial steps. First of all, Britain must consciously set out to become the EU’s best friend outside of the club of members.

Straight after the referendum, the likes of Marine Le Pen in France and Geert Wilders in Holland, who want to take their own countries out of the exit door, were quick to hail Britain’s vote. They must be given short shrift.

Our next prime minister should make it abundantly clear that Britain is not trying to break up the EU or establish itself as the leader of a rival club of European countries. Even from the outside, Britain will have a compelling interest in the EU’s success.

The second goal is more delicate. In order to rebuild that vital power to mobilise our neighbours against our enemies and in favour of our friends, Britain will have to negotiate some sort of a role in the EU’s “Common Foreign and Security Policy”.

At present, the vital decisions to lift sanctions on Iran, which happened in January, or renew them against Russia, which took place last week, are taken unanimously by EU foreign ministers and leaders. Even from outside the club, Britain should seek a place at that table.

This is not as far-fetched as it might appear. At present, the EU’s foreign policy is dominated by a triumvirate of Britain, France and Germany. When all three powers agree, they usually carry the day; if they are divided, nothing happens at all.

Other countries, particularly Britain’s traditional allies among the EU’s newest members, will be alarmed by the idea of France and Germany jointly running the show. They might favour the idea of allowing the UK a form of representation, although our present power to veto any decision will probably be too much to hope for. None the less, Britain will bring something to the table in the form of its permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council along with the prowess of its Armed Forces and intelligence agencies.

The third requirement is that Britain should make the best use of its membership of every other international club. At this point, it’s customary to stress the importance of the Commonwealth and our historic links with countries across the world, plus our vital membership of the Security Council. Fair enough: those are assets which should be mobilised to the full.

But there is one unique alliance that unites America and Europe – while also magnifying Britain’s voice – and that is Nato. After leaving the EU, Britain should seek to be the strongest and most reliable European member of the Atlantic Alliance. In time, it should be possible to carve out a distinctive position as the most globally focused and Atlanticist country in Europe.

All of this will require resisting the temptation to turn inwards and succumb to isolationism. But, given the will, Britain can build a new role in the world.