My foreign policy too

An ICM opinion poll*, commissioned by Democratic Audit, Federal Trust and One World Trust, indicates that the British people believe overwhelmingly in an “ethical” and democratic foreign policy – and are adamant that Parliament as a whole – not the Prime Minister and the cabinet – should decide Britain’s international policies.

The poll reveals a major consensus around key elements of an “ethical” foreign policy and a strong wish to pursue policies that are more independent of the United States. The poll was held in January 2006 before the full extent of the disastrous consequences of the occupation of Iraq was appreciated.

The three organisations commissioned the poll to assess the level of public support for the reforms they advocate in their joint study, Not in Our Name.

Key findings of the poll are as follows:

Asked who should decide Britain’s main foreign policy objectives in pursuing British interests abroad, 85% said “Parliament as whole” as against 13% for “the Prime Minister, ministers and their advisers”
86% of respondents agreed that parliamentary committees should fix “soft mandates” for the Prime Minister and ministers in advance of negotiations with the EU and other international bodies
89% of respondents said that Britain should seek agreement through the UN for action to deal with states that endangered British and western interests and should seek to comply with international law. Only 8% favoured the use of armed force by Britain acting on her own or with allies
83% were against arms and military exports to countries which violated their citizens’ human rights (though being reminded that exports were important to the UK economy and jobs)
85% believed that Britain should “argue vigorously” within the EU for reforms of EU trading practices to make them fairer for developing countries.

Two thirds of respondents also wanted Britain to adopt a more independent position within the Special Relationship with the United States. Asked how Britain should manage the relationship, which has been central to British foreign policy since 1945, if it were to continue, 66 per cent opted for “being a candid friend to an American President, even if that meant being critical in public”; 26% backed Tony Blair’s policy of full public and military support in return for private influence.

But should the Special Relationship continue? Half of the people asked (49%) said that Britain’s foreign policy should be based on a close and equal association with both the European Union and the United States; 22% said it should be on a close association with the EU and only 7% on such an association with the US. One in five (20%) opted for none of these three options.

Not in Our Name argues that the royal prerogative should be reformed so that Parliament can share fully in making foreign policies on war, treaties, development aid and trade, advocates soft mandating in EU and international negotiations and proposes strengthening Parliament’s capacity – and will – to make government more accountable in all its international dealings.