This article is part of a series covering the Fabian New Year Conference , written by Dave Baldock and Sue Watson

David started by thanking the Fabian Society for the invitation. During the speech he was interrupted several times by protestors over the Labour approach to the war Gaza and Israel’s aggression. The disruption attracted coverage in the national media.

The General Election gave the Country a change option between Labour and the Conservatives. Labour offered green jobs and protection for the planet.

The Government was proposing to break international law with the Rwanda scheme. The rule of law is fundamental and doing this sets a dangerous precedent.

Labour would reconnect and restore the UK’s influence in the world. There were bleak issues to deal with – Ukraine and Gaza were worrying but there is a rising threat of military power and neglect of Human Rights

The older rules-based order is eroding with great power rivalry causing tension. Institutions such as the United Nations are not valued, and with the climate in crisis the influence of government is being reigned back. Mounting disorder does not help address climate issues as there is a lack of co-ordination.at Government level.

After the first interruption, David resumed.

Labour wants a sustainable cease fire in Gaza.

Change will be brought about by Labour in power not by protest. Labour in government will have more ability to achieve this.

David Lammy’s recent Fabian pamphlet sets out a vision reconnecting Britain to the world[1].

This advocated “progressive realism” – equality, rule of law, internationalism.

We must deal with the world as it is, not as we would wish it to be. This continues the realism of Bevin, the architect of NATO, and the principled foreign policy advocated by Robin Cook.

Bevin saw things as they were. He was not a fan of Stalin and would not be a fan of Putin. He advocated the nuclear deterrent and standing up to dictators. He had faults, particularly views on the empire.

Robin Cook had conviction and principles. The response of the Labour government to Kosova reflected this.

Labour needs to operate in the real world of Bevin and apply the idealism of Cook.

The new world disorder is changing lives with more conflicts. Gaza had seen thousands of innocent people killed. Eighty-five per cent of the population were refugees, and there were still over a hundred hostages.

The position was intolerable, and Lammy called for a sustainable cease fire. He had been to the Middle East four time, and each time there was a fear of escalation. Israel and Hizballah were close to conflict. The conflict had expanded to the Red Sea which was threatening food prices. So, closing the Red Sea would have significant CONSEQUENCES.

Preventative diplomacy is needed, one of Britain’s strengths. In its approach to Israel and Palestine the UK had seen a decade of indifference. It is important not to sleepwalk in to despair.

The Israeli PM was morally wrong to reject a Palestinian state. Israel must change. Under a Labour government the UK will collaborate with partners to recognise Palestine as part of a move to peace,

Russia has chosen war in Ukraine and was now aligned with Iran and North Korea.

Soth Korea had provided more shells to Ukraine than Europe. There needs to be a long-term response and a pathway to Ukraine NATO membership.

This is progressive realism.

The climate is a longer-term issue. The COP approach has made progress, albeit too slowly. We should not lose perspective After Paris 2015, the rise in temperature was forecast to rise by 3.5 degrees, now the projection is 2 degrees. So, progress has been made. The expenditure on clean energy id now doubles that on fossil fuels.

The UK can set an example. Labour is committed to ending new licences in the North Sea. There is a need to build on “securenomics” to build and protect green markets.

We are living through a crisis and if and when Labour returns to Government the eyes of the world will be on us.

The aim of Government is to keep people secure, and the planet protected. Neither is guaranteed and Labour needs to rise to the challenge.

DB

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[1] Britain Reconnected – David Lammy March 2023