Labour will work to counter increased geopolitical instability, David Lammy says

Opposition party vows to set up new body to bolster UK security

Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy said a Labour government would focus on working people. PA

The shadow Foreign Secretary has said a Labour government will revamp Britain’s foreign policy apparatus to help rebuild prosperity with a focus on the priorities of working people in the UK.

Under the Conservatives, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has been left without the economic and industrial expertise it needs to deal with the challenges of a modern global economy, David Lammy said.

He said more needed to be done to counter increased geopolitical instability abroad, which leads directly to rocketing energy bills and rising prices at the supermarket checkout at home.

“Labour will make foreign policy choices with working people at the forefront of our minds," he said.

Under a Labour government, diplomats would be instructed to seek exemption to the US Inflation Reduction Act subsidy regime and a new approach to trade with Europe while remaining outside the EU single market and customs union.

Labour would also establish a new joint FCDO-Home Office cell counter threats and bolster UK security in the face of hostile foreign powers such as Russia and Iran.

Working in partnership with intelligence and security agencies, it would assess the threat from foreign states, disrupt hostile actors and develop new frameworks to protect democracies from interference and misinformation.

Labour Party Conference - in pictures

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  Britain's Labour Party leader Keir Starmer makes his keynote address during the Labour Party Conference at the Arena Convention Centre in Liverpool. PA

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  Mr Starmer gestures during his speech. Getty Images

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  Mr Starmer and his wife Victoria arrive on the third day of the annual Labour Party Conference in Liverpool. AFP

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  Delegates vote on day two of the Labour Party Conference. Getty Images

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  Labour Party deputy leader Angela Rayner speaks during a television interview. AFP

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  Delegates attend the third day of the annual conference in Liverpool. AFP

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  Anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray holds a placard outside the entrance. Reuters

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  Mr Starmer speaks at the Faith In Labour reception during the Labour Party Conference. Getty Images

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  Labour's shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper delivers a speech. Getty Images

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  Mr Starmer poses for a photograph with his wife Victoria over breakfast in a hotel before his address. AFP

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  Wes Streeting, the shadow secretary of state for health and social care, is interviewed on morning television. EPA

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  Mr Starmer prepares for his speech. Reuters

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  Delegates arrive at the Arena Convention Centre in Liverpool. EPA

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  Mr Starmer, left, and former England football player Gary Neville speak on the main stage on the second day of the annual Labour Party Conference. AFP

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  Shadow chief secretary to the treasury Pat McFadden, shadow exchequer secretary to the treasury Abena Oppong-Asare, shadow chancellor of the exchequer Rachel Reeves, shadow economic secretary Tulip Siddiq and shadow financial secretary to the treasury James Murray on day two of the Labour Party Conference. Getty Images

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  Shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy speaks. Reuters

“The FCDO lacks sufficient economic and industrial expertise necessary to navigate the challenges of the modern global economy, whether it be the regulation of emerging technology, or the race to secure the supply of rare earth elements,” Mr Lammy said.

“We need an FCDO equipped for the challenges of the future, retooled and re-equipped for a new era of geo-economics, disinformation and technological changes, driven by sustainable growth in the UK and accelerating our transition into a green superpower.

“Modern conflicts are being waged through manipulating energy prices, using critical technologies or resources as bargaining chips, launching cyberattacks and spreading misinformation, and detaining foreign nationals.

“These threats often exist in the grey zone, blurring the lines between peace and war. We need a co-ordinated response to counter modern state threats.”

Mr Lammy reaffirmed Labour’s “unshakeable” commitment to Nato and its support for Ukraine, while seeking a new UK-EU security pact.

He promised to push for a “clean power alliance” of developed and developing nations committed to 100 per cent clean power by 2030, while maintaining support for the international rule of law.

“Undermining international law runs counter to Britain’s interests. It damages our moral authority and political credibility,” he said.

“It makes us appear unreliable and untrustworthy, making future agreements more challenging to reach. In doing so, it serves the interests of authoritarians and dictators who seek to weaken the rule of law.”