Kmflett's Blog

Battle of Cable St October 1936, Mural

Ed Miliband made an important statement on being appointed Foreign Secretary on 20th July.

The first paragraph echoing the fight against fascism and underlining that it goes on is unusually forthright for a UK Foreign Secretary, although interpretations of where fascism might be found will I’m sure differ…

The third paragraph is less happy and not at best a view that Ralph Miliband and Marion Kozak (his partner) would have had as I’m sure Ed Miliband knows.

“My parents came to Britain as Jewish refugees from the Nazis. To them, Britain was both a sanctuary and a beacon of hope in the global fight against fascism. I will carry my parents’ faith in that spirit of Britain to my role representing our country.

“I will be a Foreign Secretary who fights for Britain’s interests and our values of democracy, freedom and the rule of law on the world stage.”

He promised to maintain close ties with both the EU and the United States, as well as upholding Britain’s commitments to Nato and the United Nations. Miliband added: “The FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) I lead will also be at the forefront of issues which pose profound and substantial threats to justice and equality in Britain and across the world.

“We will work with others on tackling the climate crisis, strengthening our partnerships for international development, and reforming our international institutions so they deliver for all countries, including the world’s poorest people.”