Hague and The Foreign Office

There is no denying three things. The first is there is a detectable shift in foreign policy which makes it separate from and more independent of, that of the U.S.. Second, while the thrust is right, the execution has at times during the Libya crisis been ham fisted. The third is that William Hague, in his role as foreign secretary, has not appeared to have the confidence or grip of affairs we would expect of one of the Tory party’s big three.

Analysing this, this blog fully supports and has long advocated, the shift in foreign policy. The faltering delivery is, I suspect, due to over reliance on the American position over so many years that too many senior officials are used to taking orders from the State Department, rather than their own government, which happily fell into line. When told to act solo these people have been caught out. This performance will improve with practice. As for William Hague, it may be this job does not suit him. He is a star parliamentary performer, but a question hangs over his comfort in a big department. He might be very much better as Leader of the House, or in Nick Clegg’s role. Clegg would be a good foreign secretary, able to speak in their own language to the Germans, the Russians and the French. That really would put Britain out ahead.