After years of fighting over Brexit and being represented by a series of ludicrous Foreign Secretaries, Britain is back on the world stage, and quite frankly, we couldn’t be needed more.
We are by nature a nation of multilateralists. Our voice and authority is amplified by working closely with like-minded countries. Fellow permanent UN Security Council member, G7 nation and NATO member, France, is pretty near the top of the list of our closest friends. A country with which we share such similar culture, values and history. A country just twenty-two miles away.
Gone are the days of Liz Truss declaring she couldn’t be sure if President Macron is a friend or foe.
Some will say we have a number of differences, whether that’s on small boats or fish or European defence – things that the Foreign Office would characterise as ‘issues to work through’.
But this afternoon, as the tricolour flutters, the sun is shining, and Macron gets his ride on a gold coach, let’s turn to the positives.
It’s great to see our relationship with France strengthening, and to see the way we are working in lockstep on issues like Ukraine and the Middle East, and working hard together to be an influence for good on the President of the United States.
Britain once again enjoys a positive relationship with France. Our King is fluent in French and is hosting the first state visit from France since 2008, and the Prime Minister, friends with President Macron, said today that our work with the French “is as strong as it’s ever been.”
Away from the pomp of this visit, there is hope that the UK and France make real progress this week on our shared priorities.
What can we expect to come out of this summit? Many of the successes won’t be measurable, but from the British perspective we are hoping to iron out collaboration on energy security and border security, pushing for greater defence industrial collaboration, as well as strengthening the work we do together on the likes of artificial intelligence and the climate crisis.
A stronger and closer relationship with France is essential
Above all, this visit will reaffirm our close relationship, which is good in itself, because let’s not forget how many British people call France their second home. Some also estimate there are 300,000 French people living in London, so many that London is often declared France’s sixth biggest city. I have so many of these French people in my constituency of Islington South and Finsbury, that while canvassing for the London local elections, I bumped into the French Socialist Party canvassing for the French Presidential election. Only in London!
A stronger and closer relationship with France is also essential to our multilateralism. And let’s not beat about the bush, if we want a closer relationship with the EU, which is certainly in Britain’s interests, the French are key players in that.
So, to President Macron and Mrs Brigitte Macron, all Londoners should be saying: welcome – or even bienvenue – we hope you enjoy your stay.
Emily Thornberry MP is Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee
