Nigel Farage’s enemies will be hoping pollsters found his weakness (Image: Getty)
It has been claimed by sections of the media and pollsters that Nigel Farage’s links to US President Donald Trump could damage Reform UK both this May and looking forward to a general election. Certainly, Trump is hardly flavour of the month, given what is unfolding in Iran. Even if one agrees the Iranian regime is monstrous and cheered the initial attempt to unseat it, one must fear this becomes yet another foreign policy quagmire.
The Trump link could prove an Achilles’ Heel for Reform in principle, yet I’d wager concerns over immigration, crime and the economy – and the abject failure of the Labour and Conservative governments – far outweigh it. That said, Reform must flesh out an independent foreign policy. True, foreign affairs and defence generally don’t win elections. But it’s jolly important in government. Moreover, a majority of Brits back an increase in defence spending.
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Farage has a golden opportunity to create a foreign policy untethered from Europe but also one no longer riding on the coattails of Washington. As a Singapore resident, I confirm the UK retains immense (perhaps unearned) goodwill in much of the Commonwealth.
Never mind jumping back into bed with a sclerotic and pensionable EU meanwhile, post-Brexit Britain ought to link up – both economically and geopolitically – with the Commonwealth, beginning with the other Realms which share Charles III as king, such as Australia, Canada, Jamaica and New Zealand.
Beyond that are the Commonwealth dynamos like Singapore as well regional giants like India and Nigeria, whose diasporas are well settled in the UK, creating family links which Britain can capitalise on for trade and military cooperation.
In defence, the UK – for all the horrendous gutting of the military by the Tory-Labour uniparty – remains one of the world’s few Bluewater navies and nuclear weapons states, and one of just five countries with a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
The UK is either the world’s fifth or sixth largest economy, jumping to third if lumped together with the CANZUK states of Australia, Canada and New Zealand. If Britain won’t look ‘East of Suez’ then who exactly are we subcontracting this job to? The US and France?
No, the UK must be a global player, allied to the EU and US but without needing to piggyback on either. Reform now has a tremendous opportunity to remake, remould and revolutionise Britain’s foreign and defence policies.
Finally, foreign policy is innately intertwined with immigration and trade, both of which will be critical in the first term of a Farage government. So whether or not the Trump link could damage Reform is moot. The bigger question is what can Reform now do to rejuvenate the UK on the world stage? Let’s face it, such a plan is long overdue.
Nigel Farage’s enemies will be hoping pollsters found his weakness (Image: Getty)
It has been claimed by sections of the media and pollsters that Nigel Farage’s links to US President Donald Trump could damage Reform UK both this May and looking forward to a general election. Certainly, Trump is hardly flavour of the month, given what is unfolding in Iran. Even if one agrees the Iranian regime is monstrous and cheered the initial attempt to unseat it, one must fear this becomes yet another foreign policy quagmire.
The Trump link could prove an Achilles’ Heel for Reform in principle, yet I’d wager concerns over immigration, crime and the economy – and the abject failure of the Labour and Conservative governments – far outweigh it. That said, Reform must flesh out an independent foreign policy. True, foreign affairs and defence generally don’t win elections. But it’s jolly important in government. Moreover, a majority of Brits back an increase in defence spending.
Get the latest politics news – straight from our team in Westminster and more Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Farage has a golden opportunity to create a foreign policy untethered from Europe but also one no longer riding on the coattails of Washington. As a Singapore resident, I confirm the UK retains immense (perhaps unearned) goodwill in much of the Commonwealth.
Never mind jumping back into bed with a sclerotic and pensionable EU meanwhile, post-Brexit Britain ought to link up – both economically and geopolitically – with the Commonwealth, beginning with the other Realms which share Charles III as king, such as Australia, Canada, Jamaica and New Zealand.
Beyond that are the Commonwealth dynamos like Singapore as well regional giants like India and Nigeria, whose diasporas are well settled in the UK, creating family links which Britain can capitalise on for trade and military cooperation.
In defence, the UK – for all the horrendous gutting of the military by the Tory-Labour uniparty – remains one of the world’s few Bluewater navies and nuclear weapons states, and one of just five countries with a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.
The UK is either the world’s fifth or sixth largest economy, jumping to third if lumped together with the CANZUK states of Australia, Canada and New Zealand. If Britain won’t look ‘East of Suez’ then who exactly are we subcontracting this job to? The US and France?
No, the UK must be a global player, allied to the EU and US but without needing to piggyback on either. Reform now has a tremendous opportunity to remake, remould and revolutionise Britain’s foreign and defence policies.
Finally, foreign policy is innately intertwined with immigration and trade, both of which will be critical in the first term of a Farage government. So whether or not the Trump link could damage Reform is moot. The bigger question is what can Reform now do to rejuvenate the UK on the world stage? Let’s face it, such a plan is long overdue.