Context

In an increasingly interdependent and uncertain world, Labour believes that Britain’s security, prosperity and democratic values are strengthened by active international co-operation as many of the challenges the world faces are often intrinsically linked and can only be tackled through a global approach.

Our approach
We believe that tackling the challenges of poverty, disease and hunger and tackling threats to our security from terrorism and WMD are not alternatives; to effectively tackle terrorism, it is vital that we address the conditions where terrorism can thrive. We also believe that Britain’s international role must be an extension of our vision at home – to build a fairer world, in which opportunity and wealth are shared by all. The way we engage with the rest of the world is rooted in our core values of equality and social justice as we seek to help alleviate poverty, protect human rights, build peace and promote democracy. With Labour, Britain is a force for good in the world, working for the promotion of peace, justice and security.

What we have done
• We put the protection and promotion of human rights at the heart of Britain’s foreign policy.
We introduced an Annual Report on Human Rights and the Global Opportunities Fund to provide additional funding for human rights projects; under our Presidency of the G8 in 2005, the G8 nations pledged enhanced support for greater democracy, effective governance and transparency in Africa; during our Presidencies of the G8 and EU we led on agreement at the UN to establish a Human Rights Council, double the resources for the OHCHR and agreed an unprecedented recognition of the responsibility to protect. And alongside intensive diplomatic and humanitarian work, we have intervened militarily to defend the human rights and rule of law in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo, East Timor and Sierra Leone.

• Led the international agenda to focus on alleviating poverty.
We have more than doubled the aid budget since 1997; written off up to 100 per cent of debt for the poorest countries and we are committed to achieving the UN target of 0.7 per cent by 2013. We used the UK’s Presidencies of the EU and G8 in 2005 to secure international action focusing on Africa and climate change, securing agreement on an extra billion of aid for all developing countries by 2010 and a doubling of aid to Africa by billion per year and the cancellation of 100 per cent of multilateral debts of the HIPCs which could amount to a total of billion relief.

• Led international efforts to take action to make the world safer.
We remain committed to the goal of the global elimination of WMD as a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty; helped to establish the UN Counter Terrorism Committee to co-ordinate international efforts to tackle terrorism; and worked with the EU to establish an EU Action Plan on Combating Terrorism which was accelerated following the London bombings. We were also one of the first countries to ratify the Ottowa Convention banning anti-personnel landmines and we introduced a new Export Control Act to control the sale of arms as part of our unprecedented steps to make the UK’s arms controls more transparent and effective.

• Led in the global effort to tackle climate change.
We have already met our obligations under the Kyoto protocol and used our Presidency of the G8 in 2005 to agree an action plan for climate change and begin a new dialogue involving the G8, emerging economies and key international institutions – the first meeting of which the Prime Minister spoke to in November 2005.

• Demonstrated our leadership at the heart of Europe.
During our Presidency of the EU we began accession negotiations with Turkey and Croatia; achieved an historic deal on reform of the EU sugar sector and delivered agreement on a budget for the EU from 2007-2013.

• Britain is working hard to bring about a peaceful and lasting settlement for the Israeli and Palestinian peoples through the Middle East Peace Process.

• We are engaged in Iraq under UN Mandate 1637 to help to build a democratic, free and secure future for the Iraqis following their historic elections on 15 December 2005.

• We have provided more funding for the British Council and for the BBC World Service, recognised around the world for its impartiality and unbiased reporting; its service promotes respect for the UK abroad.

What we will do
• Continue to lead internationally on the global fight against poverty and climate change.

• Work actively to secure an international treaty on the arms trade – working with other countries to ensure that this issue is on the agenda of the UN General Assembly this year.

• Continue to use the Global Opportunities Fund to provide resources and support for human rights and democracy projects. We will continue to publish an annual human rights report and support the UN in the strengthening of human rights internationally.

• Continue to work tirelessly to bring about a peace settlement in which a viable and independent state of Palestine lives alongside a safe and secure Israel.

• We support the wider process of democratic reform across the Middle East and we will work with our allies to encourage and promote economic and political change.

• Continue to press for reform of the UN to make it more representative and better equipped to deal with the challenges of the twenty first century.

• Work for reform of the World Bank and IMF to improve transparency; giving more say to developing countries.

• Continue to lead at the heart of Europe.

• Continue to improve our ability to respond quickly to international crises and disasters which affect our citizens, including a wide consultation to draw up a comprehensive statement spelling out the rights and responsibilities of British travellers abroad.

Latest campaign - Burma

Index page
Labour’s International policies
Labour's International Projects (Westminster Foundation for Democracy)
European Parliamentary Labour Party
Party of European Socialists
Group of the Party of European Socialists (European Parliament)
Sister Parties in Europe
Socialist International