🌎 Just had a chance to read @BorisJohnson’s speech at Munic…

🇺🇸 Very punchy in respect of welcoming US return to multilateralism. Some have tried (and failed) to tie the PM to the Trump world view but speech was explicit in welcoming US return to Paris agreement and a clear, pro-NATO position. That’ll play well in Brussels and DC.

🌳 An optimistic tone about COP summit in Glasgow. Clear that @AlokSharma_RDG has PM’s backing to work w/ John Kerry to secure a meaningful outcome (and, by extension, a big UK diplo triumph). UK to shepherd “Net Zero by 2050” initiative. Key global leadership role possible.

💉 An clear internationalist tone re: #coronavirus and UK leadership in sharing vaccines globally. UK championing of COVAX delivery system to the developing world & suggestion of new global mechanism for scientific collaboration on emerging diseases shows clear UK aid commitment.

🇷🇺 No backing down on sanctions on murderous Putin regime. PM praised “immovable rock of trans-Atlantic solidarity, sanctions and coordinated diplomatic expulsions” and an outstanding act of collective security” post-Salisbury. Alignment between UK-US-EU here seems strong.

🤝 Govt has, under @DominicRaab, been outspoken on human rights. PM didn’t engage in diplomatic niceties in this speech - clear condemnation of China human rights abuses against Uighurs & #HongKong, against coup in #Burma & in favour of sanctions against Lukashenko in #Belarus.

🇭🇰 Comments on #HongKong represented arguably the biggest statement of intention. Worth quoting directly: “China broke a treaty and imposed a repressive national security law”. Language and actions in confronting Beijing seem a world away from toadying Cam-Osborne stances.

🛩 Restatement of £24 billion defence budget rise & 2% spending commitment places UK at forefront of discussion on military spending inside NATO. Leadership position. Mention of US F35 jets using British QE aircraft carrier shows UK govt priority to boost US-UK defence coop.

🇪🇺 Plenty of language/positions in speech that’ll please EU countries though. In particular, PM restated UK support for NATO missions on EU’s eastern frontiers with Russia. UK-EU *political* separation is complete but NATO provides solid forum for close defence/diplo cooperation.

🇮🇷 Mention of the France, Germany & the US security quad and cooperation on the challenge of #Iran is significant. Under Trump, UK’s position on dialogue with Iran was aligned with the EU’s, not US - rare London-DC schism. Now, western security positions are aligned re: dialogue.

🌏 Conference focuses on transatlantic security yet PM right to use speech to champion “global Britain” agenda. S Korea, Australia & India to join UK’s G7 summit in June. Inside @MunSecConf UK now a force for broadening perspectives away from EU-US focus to more global outlook.

🌟 Speech didn’t once mention Brexit or the UK leaving the EU. A relief to all, no doubt - but a recognition that UK relations with mainland Europe and broader transatlantic security/trade apparatus have far more to them than this issue. This reality seems to be hitting home.

🥩 Critics have attacked “global Britain” narrative as an empty one - but PM put clear meat on the bones. Can be defined by multilateralism, uncompromising principles when it comes to human rights, free trade & a *genuinely* global outlook. Huge opportunities for 🇬🇧 ahead. 🚀

🌎 Just had a chance to read @BorisJohnson’s speech at Munich Security Conference @MunSecConf in full. Conference isn’t widely covered in UK but is, in my opinion, most valuable transatlantic security forum of the year - buy-in at highest levels in DC & EU. Some takeaways... 👇

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