THE escalation in military expenditure over recent years to maintain a commitment to Nato of defence spending at 2 per cent of the GDP, has seen Britain engaged in a range of armed conflicts such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and Syria.  

British weapons have been at the core of the bombardment of Yemen since 2015 by the Saudi-led coalition, creating one of the world’s worst ever humanitarian disasters.

The “global Britain” policy of outgoing PM Boris Johnson, has been central to the concept of British intervention beyond British borders. Deployment of aircraft carriers in the South China Sea, well outside any reasonable definition of Britain’s “sphere of interest,” potentially puts Britain in the front line in any conflict with China.  

Given the current direction of US foreign policy, with a belligerent attitude being displayed towards China’s sovereignty over Taiwan, such a conflict is possible to foresee.

The existing commitment to replace the US-controlled Trident nuclear submarine programme will only exacerbate the level of spending on weapons of mass destruction, draining much-needed resources from vital domestic services, as well as reducing Britain’s support of international development initiatives.

For too long British foreign policy has been led by the perceived interests of the US and the Nato military alliance. This has not been to the benefit of the people of Britain. It has generated the crisis in immigration as people flee armed conflicts and has significantly reduced the credibility of Britain in the field of international diplomacy.  

A new prime minister coming into office will provide an opportunity to reassess the priorities for Britain internationally and put the agenda for peace, social justice and democracy at the forefront of British foreign policy.

Liberation calls for the incoming prime minister to commit to a root-and-branch review of British foreign policy and the international role of Britain.  

An independent British foreign policy should be led by the interests of the British people, not the imperialist designs of the US. Military spending should be reduced to focus on socially useful production, such as addressing the issues presented by the climate emergency.

Such an approach would be the basis for a programme of massive social change in Britain, making a genuine commitment to “levelling up” and making Britain a safe haven for refugees and asylum-seekers. Such an approach would be politically progressive, popular, humanitarian, and independent.  

It would be a huge step forward in protecting the citizens of Britain as well as those fleeing conflict elsewhere. It is an approach which any prime minister should be proud to adopt.

Visit www.liberationorg.co.uk for more information on the work of the organisation.