Rishi Sunak vows 'hard-headed' foreign policy on conflict

British Prime Minister will make keynote speech at the Lord Mayor’s Banquet in London on Monday

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak addresses guests at a Diwali reception with business leaders in London on Thursday. Getty Images

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is set to outline his vision for a “hard-headed” approach to foreign policy on Monday amid wars in the Middle East and Ukraine.

Mr Sunak will promise to intensify British efforts to work towards a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.

“The UK wrote the original UN resolutions setting out a two-state solution. We’ve argued for it for decades. But now we must help make it a reality,” he will say.

“So, to the UK’s friends across the region and to our communities in this country, I pledge to redouble British efforts to this end.”

Mr Sunak will seek to defend British values from adversaries and highlight his record on forging international partnership on defence, trade and migration.

Claiming to represent a change from his Conservative predecessors, he will pledge to leave behind “past dogmas, assumptions and structures” in dealing with other nations, Downing Street said.

In a major foreign policy speech on Monday, Mr Sunak will tell international dignitaries and business leaders: “In these dangerous times, we’re not just defending a better vision of the future against those who would destroy it, we’re marshalling our expertise, our people and our alliances to bring that future into being.

“So, we’ll continue to stand up for what is right … and show that our values will prevail.”

Calling 2023 “one of the most significant years” for UK foreign policy in recent times, he will talk of the signing of the Windsor Framework with the EU, the update of British foreign and security policy and the announcement of plans for a new generation of nuclear-powered submarines under the Aukus partnership with the US and Australia.

Britain also struck migration deals with France, Italy and Albania, confirmed its accession to a major Indo-Pacific trade bloc and hosted an international summit on artificial intelligence safety.

The Windsor Framework trading arrangements were regarded as a key step in improving post-Brexit relations, after the more combative approaches taken by Mr Sunak’s predecessors, Boris Johnson and Liz Truss.

Rishi Sunak's first year as Prime Minister – in pictures

Rishi Sunak has been British Prime Minister for one year. Here The National looks back at his time in No 10 Downing Street. Getty Images

Mr Sunak after being announced as winner of the Conservative Party leadership contest on October 24. Getty Images

King Charles III welcomes Mr Sunak to Buckingham Palace where he invited him to become Prime Minister. Getty Images

The new Prime Minister makes a speech outside No 10. Getty Images

Mr Sunak arrives at No 10 for the first time as Prime Minister. Photo: Simon Walker/ No 10 Downing Street

Mr Sunak holds his first cabinet meeting. Getty Images

Mr Sunak hosts a reception to celebrate Diwali at No 10. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street

A visit to Croydon University Hospital, south London. Getty Images

Mr Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty with Nova, their pet Labrador. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street

The Prime Minister with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in the Cabinet Room at No 10. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street

King Charles, Mr Sunak, fashion designer Stella McCartney and US climate envoy John Kerry at Buckingham Palace before Cop27. Getty Images

French President Emmanuel Macron and Mr Sunak at Cop27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Getty Images

Mr Sunak during a call to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from his office. Photo: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street

On Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph in London. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street

Mr Sunak with journalists on a flight to Bali for the G20 summit. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street

With Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during a meeting at the G20 in Nusa Dua, Indonesia. Getty Images

Mr Sunak with US President Joe Biden at the G20 summit. Getty Images

Mr Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Getty Images

Mr Sunak meets rescue teams during his visit to Ukraine. Photo: No 10 Downing Street

Mr Sunak and his wife outside No 10 as the Christmas lights are turned on. Getty Images

With youth footballers from Wales and England to watch the World Cup match between the two nations. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street

Reading congratulations cards from members of the public after being appointed. Photo: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street

At RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire after the announcement that Britain will develop next-generation fighter jets with Italy and Japan. Getty Images

Mr Sunak and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas on a plane to Tallinn. Getty Images

The Prime Minister with troops at the Tapa military base, Estonia. Getty Images

The photo on Mr Sunak's official Christmas card. Photo: Simon Walker / No 10 Downing Street

Serving breakfast on a visit to The Passage homeless shelter in London just before Christmas. Photo: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street

Making his first major domestic speech of the year. Getty Images

Toasting marshmallows on a visit to the Sea Scouts community group in Muirtown near Inverness. Getty Images

A Q&A session at The Platform in Morecambe, Lancashire, after a community visit to the Eden Project North. Getty Images

Mr Sunak and Mr Hunt at Accrington Market Hall with local MP Sara Britcliffe to announce projects under the levelling-up fund. Getty Images

Mr Sunak and Mr Zelenskyy meet Ukrainian troops being trained to command Challenger 2 tanks at a military facility in Lulworth, Dorset. Getty Images

With EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at a press conference at Windsor Guildhall. Getty Images

Speaking at a press conference following the launch of new legislation on migrant channel crossings at Downing Street. Getty Images

Mr Biden meets Mr Sunak during the 25th anniversary commemorations of the "Good Friday Agreement" in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Getty Images

Mr Sunak holds a plate of sandwiches for US First Lady Jill Biden at Downing Street to celebrate King Charles' coronation. Getty Images

Mr Sunak and his wife Mrs Murty ahead of the G7 Summit, in Hiroshima, Japan. Getty Images

Mr Sunak with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during their bilateral meeting in Hiroshima ahead of the G7 Summit. Getty Images

Mr Sunak and Mr Zelenskyy look out towards trees planted by Winston Churchill as they walk in the garden at Chequers. Getty Images

Mr Sunak onboard Border Agency cutter HMC Seeker during a visit to Dover. Getty Images

Mr Sunak cheers during the Ashes Test match between England and Australia at Lord's Cricket Ground. Getty Images

Mr Sunak welcomes Mr Biden at 10 Downing Street. Getty Images

In a Special Branch police vehicle used to transport former Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, in Bexley. Getty Images

Mr Sunak and his wife Mrs Murty offer prayers as they visit the Akshardham Hindu Temple in New Delhi, India. Getty Images

Mr Sunak meets the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu. No 10 Downing Street

In his speech at the annual Lord Mayor’s Banquet in London’s Guildhall, Mr Sunak will say: “These treaties and alliances speak to something deeper: our willingness to act, to shape the world, not be shaped by it, wherever there’s a challenge, wherever there’s a threat, wherever we can promote peace and security.”

He will say that while Britain is pragmatic in its foreign policy approach, it is a time for “moral clarity”, noting its support for Kyiv in its struggle against Russia’s invasion and humanitarian support for civilians in Gaza amid the Israel-Gaza war.

“We’re hard-headed about what’s necessary for our interests and security. But Britain’s realism has always had values and this is a moment for moral clarity,” he will say.”

He is expected to say that Britain will never “lose patience” in backing Ukraine, calling Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion a “self-inflicted, strategic calamity” that he “cannot win”.

Mr Sunak faces calls to sack his Home Secretary Suella Braverman after she was accused of inflaming tensions over a pro-Palestinian march in London.