UK Defense Secretary Says 'Global Britain' More Than 'Pithy Phrase,' Must Be About Action

The "Global Britain" concept is much more than a pithy phrase, it is should be about action and the United Kingdom's readiness to defend own values "far from home," Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said on Monday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th February, 2019) The "Global Britain" concept is much more than a pithy phrase, it is should be about action and the United Kingdom's readiness to defend own values "far from home," Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said on Monday.

"In the era of great power competition we cannot be satisfied simply protecting our own backyard ... Since the new global great game will be played on a global playing field, we must be prepared compete for our interests and our values far, far from home. That is why 'Global Britain' needs to be much more than a pithy phrase it has to be about action, and our armed forces represent the best of 'Global Britain' in action," Williamson said, delivering a speech at the Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies.

Williamson added that "readiness has to be our new watchword," while the country should be ready to oppose those flouting the international law and shore up the "global system of rules and standards on which our security and prosperity depends.

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The secretary noted that he understood the cost of intervention, adding that the cost of non-intervention was too often forgotten, even though it could be extremely high.

He added that "nor can we walk on by when others are in need, to talk but fail to act," risking that "our nations are being seen as nothing more than a paper tiger."

Under Prime Minister Theresa May, the UK government has been actively promoting the Global Britain strategy, stressing that a post-Brexit country will be even more outward-looking, boosting ties and trade with emerging economies and new partners outside Europe.