British Foreign Policy - Challenges facing the next Prime Minister

This LSE public debate marks the launch of British Diplomacy: Foreign Secretaries Reflect.

This public debate marks the launch of British Diplomacy: Foreign Secretaries Reflect edited by Graham Ziegner (Politico's, March 2007). The book includes contributions from five former UK Foreign Secretaries who provide a unique insight into the thoughts and actions of the holders of one of the most difficult and challenging posts within British government, highlighting the problems faced during their time as Foreign Secretary and giving a personal account of how these problems were tackled. Professor Lord William Wallace writes the introductory chapter and a conclusion considering New Labour's foreign policy is provided by Professor Christopher Hill and Tim Oliver. The book can be purchased on Amazon or at the event where it will be available at a special reduced rate.

In the debate the speakers will examine the foreign policy challenges that Britain and the next Prime Minister faces and will discuss how best to address these. Following a decade in which Britain under the leadership of Tony Blair has adopted a remarkably activist foreign policy, should Britain look to review its relationship with the US as the presidency of George Bush comes to an end? What role should Britain play in Europe? How should Britain move forward in Iraq and the wider Middle East? And does UK foreign policy need a "complete renaissance" to tackle "Reactionary Islam" as called for by Blair in one of his recent major foreign policy speeches?

Lord Howe was Margaret Thatcher's longest standing Cabinet minister, serving as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Foreign Secretary and Leader of the House of Commons. Lord Hurd served as Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth affairs in both Margaret Thatcher's and John Major's cabinets. Dr Robin Niblett is director of Chatham House, prior to this he was Executive Vice President of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington DC. Lord Owen is a former British foreign secretary, and served as EU Co Chairman of the International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia from 1992-1995. Gideon Rachman became chief foreign affairs columnist for the Financial Times in July 2006. He joined the FT after a 15-year career at The Economist, which included spells as a foreign correspondent in Brussels, Washington and Bangkok. Sir Malcolm Rifkind MP served as both Defence and Foreign Secretary in John Major's Government.

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