In January 1946, the foreign secretary, Ernest Bevin, gazed out into a geopolitically uncertain landscape. The Second World War had only recently concluded. The long period of post-war tension, colloquially known as the Cold War, was also just beginning and would endure for more than four decades. It was a challenging time to envision even as little as six months, let alone six years, into the future.
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We find ourselves at a period of significant uncertainty once again. Our core remains Britain's security, confronting geopolitical threats at a time of conflict in Europe, but we must do so acknowledging that the distinction between foreign and domestic policy has become more indistinct than ever.
Maintaining public safety in the UK requires standing firm against the Kremlin. Collaborating with our international partners and allies to counter the actions of Vladimir Putin's authoritarian regime. Combating illicit funds laundered in financial hubs such as London.
Growth of the British economy is reliant on taking advantage of economic opportunities abroad, particularly in sectors like renewable energy. It involves informing overseas businesses and investors about the significant advantages the UK has to offer in terms of education, IT, and business and professional services.
And nowhere is this blurred boundary more apparent than in dealing with migrant arrivals.
to ensure Britain's borders are secure without relying on the Foreign Office. A viable approach would involve pragmatic, no-nonsense diplomatic efforts with countries along the entire route used by people traffickers.
This government, from the Prime Minister downwards, understands this challenge for what it truly is. There are some who claim migration isn't a progressive issue. They are, quite simply, mistaken. There's nothing progressive about abandoning those who are most in need to exploitation. Nothing progressive about allowing serious crime gangs to grow rich and fuel more crime on Britain's streets.
That's why today I am announcing that we are working on legislation for a new sanctions system that specifically tackles irregular immigration and organised immigration crime. This will help to stop, prevent and disrupt irregular immigration and the smuggling of migrants into the UK.
We are on course to become the first country in the world to introduce a sanctions regime of this type. It will significantly bolster our capabilities for taking on those who profit from putting others' lives in danger. And I am working closely with the home secretary, Yvette Cooper, and our department's new joint irregular migration unit to deploy every tool at our disposal to regain control of our borders.
These are a good example of them. And, above all, we must employ our most effective diplomatic tools.
This is one of a number of changes we are making to ensure the Foreign Office plays a full part in implementing the priorities of the hard-working British people. We are no longer living in the 1990s. The post-cold war era of peace is well and truly over. We find ourselves in a changed strategic landscape, with more conflicts than at any time since 1945, and the highest number of refugees and displaced people on record worldwide.
Taking the world as it actually is, not as we might wish it to be. Pursuing a consistent approach in our international relationships – ending the Conservatives' erratic policy changes on Europe and China.
Moments of change are also a chance to take a genuine look at our institutions and make crucial changes. Over the course of the past six months I have seen the most dedicated public servants in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office that I have ever met, working all around the world to stop disasters and bring countries together. But it's also clear they have a slightly different instinct to the rest of Whitehall in terms of what is needed to make a positive impact for the people of Britain. That is why I have instructed my department to reform its role and capabilities - to make sure our work gives the maximum benefit to British growth and security.
It is now the perfect opportunity, with a foreign policy in action according to this government's plans for change, to look into a bright future once again.
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