Rishi Sunak says UK must do more to promote its values abroad

British PM set to deliver first major speech on foreign policy in London

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will outline his vision for Britain's foreign policy in a speech in London. PA.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak says Britain must continue to advocate for "freedom and openness" on the international stage, in what will be his first major speech on foreign policy.

Mr Sunak will warn against “short-termism” and “wishful thinking” when dealing with adversaries including Russia, Iran and China, as he pledges to stand up for British values.

“Freedom and openness have always been the most powerful forces for progress," he is expected to say during the Lord Mayor’s Banquet at Guildhall in London on Monday.

"But they have never been achieved by standing still.

“Under my leadership we won’t choose the status quo. We will do things differently.

“We will evolve, anchored always by our enduring belief in freedom, openness and the rule of law, and confident that, in this moment of challenge and competition, our interests will be protected and our values will prevail.”

Mr Sunak will stress the need to deepen ties in the Indo-Pacific and strengthen bonds that have been frayed by Brexit with Europe.

He will also say Britain must stand up to global competitors with “robust pragmatism” rather than “grand rhetoric”, according to early released excerpts of his speech.

Britain's "adversaries and competitors plan for the long term", Mr Sunak will say, referring to China and Russia.

"In the face of these challenges, short-termism or wishful thinking will not suffice", he will say.

"So we will make an evolutionary leap in our approach. This means being stronger in defending our values and the openness on which our prosperity depends."

Mr Sunak will tell international dignitaries and business leaders of the need to reinvigorate relationships in Europe, taking a sharp turn from his Downing Street predecessors Liz Truss and Boris Johnson.

Rishi Sunak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Saturday. PA.

Mr Johnson and Ms Truss were regarded as taking more combative approaches with allies such as French President Emmanuel Macron.

Mr Sunak will stress the need to adapt to new challenges and threats as the government updates the integrated review of defence and foreign policy.

He has been seeking to work more closely with France to tackle migrant crossings of the English Channel in small boats, and with Albania to establish a returns agreement for failed asylum seekers.

But there are concerns that efforts to broker a deal with Albania have been made more difficult by Home Secretary Suella Braverman.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama accused her of using “crazy words” and trying to find scapegoats for the crisis by blaming his people.

On Ukraine, Mr Sunak indicated no change with the policy pursued by Mr Johnson and Ms Truss, and says he will stand with Kyiv "as long as it takes".

“Ukrainian flags have flown over almost every town and city on these islands for the last nine months. No one told people to put them there," he will say.

“They felt moved to show solidarity with people they have never met, in a country most have never visited, to show their faith in fairness, freedom and the rule of law.

“Be in no doubt. We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. We will maintain or increase our military aid next year.

"And we will provide new support for air defence, to protect the Ukrainian people and the critical infrastructure that they rely on.

“By protecting Ukraine, we protect ourselves.”

Rishi Sunak through the years - in pictures

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announces July 4 as the date for the 2024 general election at No 10 Downing Street. Here, The National looks back at his political career. Getty Images

Mr Sunak during local election campaigning in Teesside in May 2024. Getty Images

Mr Sunak presents cupcakes to journalists on board a plane on the way to Warsaw in April 2024. Getty Images

Mr Sunak during a press conference in Downing Street in January after the Safety of Rwanda Bill passed its third reading in the House of Commons. Getty Images

Being applauded after his speech at the Conservative Party conference in October 2023. Getty Images

Looking pensive alongside then-home secretary Suella Braverman at No 10 in October 2023. She didn't last much longer in the cabinet. Getty Images

Mr Sunak sits in an old Special Branch police vehicle which was used to transport former prime minister Margaret Thatcher, in July 2023. Getty Images

On board Border Agency cutter HMC Seeker during a visit to Dover in June 2023. Getty Images

Mr Sunak alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during the G7 Summit in May 2023. Getty Images

Mr Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty arriving in Japan ahead of the G7 Summit in May 2023. Getty Images

Mr Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt sending a message at Accrington Market Hall in January 2023. Getty Images

Mr Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meet in Ukraine's capital Kyiv in November 2022. Getty Images

King Charles III welcomes Mr Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government in October 2022. Getty Images

Mr Sunak makes a statement outside No 10 in October 2022 after taking office. Getty Images

Mr Sunak arrives inside Number 10 in October 2022. Photo: Simon Walker/ No 10 Downing Street

Greeted by colleagues at Conservative Party HQ after having been announced winner of the leadership contest in October 2022. Getty Images

Mr Sunak at Westminster Hall in London following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. PA

Mr Sunak visits his family's old business, Bassett Pharmacy, on the campaign trail in August 2022. Getty Images

Mr Sunak looks at an NLAW anti-tank launcher during a visit to the Thales Defence System plant in Belfast in August 2022. Getty Images

At a hustings event in Exeter in August 2022. Getty Images

Celebrates England's first goal as he watches the Women's Euro 2022 final in Salisbury in July 2022. Getty Images

Mr Sunak and Ms Truss take part in the BBC Leadership debate at Victoria Hall, Hanley, in July 2022. Getty Images

With daughters Krisna and Anoushka and wife Akshata Murthy in July 2022. Getty Images

Opening the Great Ayton Village Fete during the queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022. Getty Images

Mr Sunak and Ms Murthy speak to then-Prince Charles at a British Asian Trust event in February 2022. Getty Images

Mr Sunak arrives at COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021 when he was chancellor. Getty Images

Holding the budget box as he departs 11 Downing Street to deliver his Autumn Budget in October 2021. Getty Images

At a press conference on the 2021 Budget in London in March 2021. Getty Images

With former prime minister Boris Johnson during a visit to PD Ports on the River Tees in March 2021. Getty Images

Mr Sunak poses with the budget box at 11 Downing Street in March 2021. Getty Images

Meeting staff back at work after being furloughed at Hamleys toy shop in London, December 2020. Photo: HM Treasury

Mr Sunak visits the Imperial Clinic Research Facility at Hammersmith Hospital, London, in November 2020. Getty Images

Lighting a candle for Diwali on Downing Street, November 2020. Getty Images

Working on a speech in his flat above 11 Downing Street in November 2020. Photo: HM Treasury

Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak visit the headquarters of Octopus Energy in London in October 2020. Getty Images

With his 'Winter Economy Plan' outside 11 Downing Street in September 2020. AFP

Decorating a plate at Emma Bridgewater pottery in Stoke pottery in September 2020. Getty Images

Promoting 'eat out to help out' on the Isle of Bute, Scotland, in August 2020. Getty Images

A member of the public takes a selfie with Rishi Sunak during a visit to Scotland in August 2020. AFP

Visiting a Wagamama restaurant in central London in July 2020. Photo: HM Treasury

Rishi Sunak visits a Pret A Manger in Westminster in July 2020. HM Treasury

With Mr Johnson at his first Cabinet meeting after a reshuffle at 10 Downing Street in February 2020. Getty Images

Mr Sunak speaks during a general election debate in Cardiff in November 2019. Getty Images