UK Urged To Show It Is 'Self-Confident' And 'Proactive'

The Defence Secretary has called on the UK to show the rest of the world it is "self-confident" and "proactive".

Ben Wallace was speaking as the Government said it is considering the future of the Integrated Review.

His comments were made during a speech at this year's Atlantic Future Forum, on board HMS Queen Elizabeth.

"The world does not stop for our reviews, our adversaries will not halt the absence of our strategies and the UK's defence can never be paused in the face of financial uncertainty," Mr Wallace said.

"We should be signalling to the world that Britain is self-confident, proactive, problem-solving and burden sharing.

"Ready to take on the challenges and shape the opportunities of the 2020s alongside our allies and friends," he added.

"In an imperfect, anxious and tangled world, we must continue championing those shared values of liberty, justice and tolerance that have given billions of souls around the world the chance of a better life."

On Wednesday, the Government said it is considering the future of the Integrated Review, following a decision that a separate spending review will cover only one year.

The Integrated Review, known by its full title of Integrated Security, Defence and Foreign Policy Review, was first announced by Boris Johnson in December 2019.

The aim of the review is to cover "all aspects of international policy from defence to diplomacy and development", with the Prime Minister describing it as the "biggest review of our foreign, defence, security and development policy since the end of the Cold War".

The Treasury says its spending review will now be a one-year assessment held next month, rather than a three-year review, due to the uncertainty created by coronavirus.

The Atlantic Future Forum is designed to enhance the partnership between Britain and the United States.

Senior figures from government and industry in the UK and US are meeting over two days to discuss a range of areas where the two countries can increase cooperation and explore new ways of combatting global instability.

The aircraft carrier hosting the event was lauded as being a "launchpad for ideas" by the First Sea Lord Admiral Tony Radakin during his speech on Tuesday.

He said the UK and US, although being two different nations, have "one common goal".

"That of making not only the Atlantic but also the world more secure, more prosperous and more equitable for everyone," he said.

"Now, more than ever, it is the time for this discussion."