Former UK diplomat Tim Cole calls for a radical reset of UK foreign policy based on honesty and respect
David Lammy says the UK needs a refreshed foreign policy based on “progressive realism” (Labour’s foreign policy will be realistic about us as a nation, not nostalgic about what we used to be, 17 April). This is nowhere more true than in Africa where, in many countries, the UK is seen as untrustworthy and shortsighted, short of ideas and cash, petty and not strategic. Spending the aid budget on refugees at home, hoarding vaccines during the pandemic, not living up to commitments on climate finance, ignoring wars in Africa because others are “more important” – all these policies and many more have influenced how we are seen.
A refreshed approach needs to provide a clean break with the past. It can’t claim to be different but follow the same set of rules. It needs to be radical, bold, honest, holistic and cross-government. To break with our past, we need to take full responsibility for it. That means having an honest discussion about colonialism and reparations. It means ensuring all items in UK museums and other public institutions stolen during the colonial period are returned. It also means we meet all our commitments on climate adaptation finance and provide significant support for loss and damage. And we should, finally, give the Chagos Islands, the last British colony in Africa, back to Mauritius, thus allowing Chagossians to return to their homes.
