Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development and (new British Prime Minister) Gordon Brown's long-time Mini-Me, comes to Washington to bravely speak truth to power. Choosing a suitably establishment venue such as the Council on Foreign Relations, Mr Alexander tells the United States that:

"In the 20th century a country's might was too often measured in what they could destroy. In the 21st century strength should be measured by what we can build together. And so we must form new alliances, based on common values, ones not just to protect us from the world, but ones which reach out to the world."

And:

"We need to demonstrate by our deeds, words and our actions that we are internationalist, not isolationist, multilateralist, not unilateralist, active and not passive, and driven by core values, consistently applied, not special interests."

The US must be asked:

"to recognise the importance of a rules based international system".

Plus:

"Given the interconnected nature of the challenges we face, I would argue that we have to simultaneously be fighting to end poverty, to secure trade justice and to tackle conflict and climate change, as well as working to defeat terrorism and ensure the preservation of our security."

The speech, obviously intended to assure the British people that things are going to be different under Brown from all those many years of former Prime Minister Tony Blair pandering to President Bush. Of course, once the speech caused a furor in the US, then Brown responded that nothing in the speech showed a different approach and he was amazed at the interpretation that had been given to the speech. Sounds like pandering to me - to both sides of the Atlantic. And I guess I like the message the Brits got better.

Hat tip to: The Debatable Land

Gillian Parrillo
The Sacramento Executive