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Keynote speech: Rt Hon David Lammy MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs

How would a Labour government approach international diplomacy and foreign policy?

David Lammy on stage at the Institute for Government
The Rt Hon David Lammy MP delivering a keynote address at the Institute for Government.

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The Rt Hon David Lammy MP set out how a foreign policy lens of 'progressive realism' might affect the practice of diplomacy, should Labour win the election.

The discussion covered the evolution of the Foreign Office as an institution, under both Labour and Conservative governments. It focused in particular on the balance between traditional diplomatic activity and the new demands created by climate change, global health challenges and the regulation of emerging technologies.   

The Shadow Foreign Secretary also explored the convergence between domestic economic and foreign policy and its implications for how Labour's mission-driven approach would shape how Whitehall works on international issues.

Following his speech, David Lammy was in conversation with Dr Hannah White, Director of the Institute for Government, and took questions from the audience.

Photos from the event can be viewed on our Flickr here.

Read a transcript of David Lammy's speech.

Follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter) @instituteforgov and join the conversation using #DavidLammy.

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