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International Affairs
The Labour Government has had to make some difficult decisions on an international level. In March 2003, I voted against the war in Iraq and had to resign my Government position in order to do so.
Despite my misgivings about the war in Iraq, I do feel that we have a lot to be proud about. This Government has played a leading role in international affairs:
We have put the protection and promotion of human rights at the heart of Britain's foreign policy. Labour introduced an Annual Report on Human Rights and established a Human Rights Project Fund worth £5.25 million to fund projects aimed at improving human rights around the world.
The UK is leading international efforts to tackle global poverty and the Labour Government has nearly doubled the aid budget since 1997.
We have demonstrated international leadership on issues such as Middle East Peace Process, protecting the global environment and establishment of the International Criminal Court.
Labour is taking action to make the world safer. We helped establish the UN Counter Terrorism Committee to co-ordinate international efforts to tackle terrorism.
Labour has made Britain a leading partner in Europe, working constructively in the EU to stand up for Britain’s interests.