Hunt: Britain must not play down its strengths
Foreign Secretary envisions the UK as a connector of democracies as it opens Indonesian embassy
Britain should stop “underestimating” its global influence as the country prepares to leave the European Union in less than three months’ time, Jeremy Hunt will say in a major speech in Singapore. The Foreign Secretary will say that the UK will open a new mission in Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital, to promote trade links with countries in the Far East, as it engages more with countries outside the EU. Mr Hunt will say the UK needs to be “realistic”, meaning “not overestimating our strength but not underestimating it either”.
BRITAIN should stop “underestimating” its global influence as the country prepares to leave the European Union in less than three months’ time, Jeremy Hunt will say in a major speech in Singapore.
The Foreign Secretary will say that the UK will open a new mission in Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital, to promote trade links with countries in the Far East as it engages more with countries outside the EU.
Mr Hunt, a contender to succeed Theresa May as the Conservatives’ leader, will stress that the UK needs to be “realistic about our global position”. However, he will add: “That means not overestimating our strength but not underestimating it either.
“We are not a superpower and we do not have an empire. But we do have the fifth biggest economy in the world, the third biggest overseas aid budget, the second biggest military budget in Nato, one of the two biggest financial centres, the world’s language, highly effective intelligence services and a world class diplomatic network, including permanent membership of the Security Council.”
Mr Hunt, who is also expected to visit Malaysia later this week, is hoping a new mission in Jakarta will improve links with the 10 members of the Association of south-east Asian Nations (Asean). Mr Hunt will say: “Britain is already the biggest European investor in South-east Asia, with Asean trade of nearly £37billion, and over 4,000 British companies employing more than 50,000 people in Singapore alone.
“Those connections are why Britain’s post-brexit role should be to act as an invisible chain linking together the democracies of the world, those countries which share our values and support our belief in free trade, the rule of law and open societies.”
In his speech – titled “Britain’s Role in a Post-brexit World” – to a think tank in Singapore, he will say: “In a world where it is rarely possible for one country to achieve its ambitions alone, we have some of the best connections of any country – whether through the Commonwealth, our alliance with the United States and our friendship with our neighbours in Europe.
“Those connections mean that in this part of the world Britain is amongst only a handful of European countries with an embassy or high commission in every member of the association of south-east Asian nations.
“Those connections are why Britain’s post-brexit role should be to act as an invisible chain linking together the democracies of the world, those countries who share our values and support our belief in free trade, the rule of law and open societies.”