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Miliband urges Labour enthusiasm | Miliband urges Labour enthusiasm |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Foreign Secretary David Miliband has warned Labour it needs to show it is excited, not exhausted, by the prospect of a fourth term in government. | |
Mr Miliband told the Fabian Society that Labour can win the next election if it offers more change and more experience than the Tories. | |
He also signalled a break with Tony Blair's leadership by saying Britain is not a bridge between Europe and the US. | |
Instead, he said, it can act as a "global hub", linking world "networks". | |
'New ways needed' | 'New ways needed' |
BBC political correspondent Carole Walker said Mr Miliband appeared to be acknowledging how hard it is for Labour under Gordon Brown to present fresh appeal to the public. | |
He used his speech to warn the central challenge facing the party is "to show that we are excited, not exhausted, by the prospect of a fourth term in government". | |
He also said that the government needs to pursue its goals in new ways at home and abroad. | |
In a clear break with Mr Blair's approach, Mr Miliband said: "Britain is not a bridge between Europe and America: it can instead be a global hub, plugged into the networks that matter." | |
From climate change and health pandemics to financial stability, national security comes not at the expense of other nations but in parallel Foreign Secretary David Miliband | |
Our correspondent said this is not just a reference to the growing importance of China and India, but also to what Mr Miliband sees as the need to recognise a "civilian surge" - the rise of better-educated and informed citizens who want more power over their lives. | Our correspondent said this is not just a reference to the growing importance of China and India, but also to what Mr Miliband sees as the need to recognise a "civilian surge" - the rise of better-educated and informed citizens who want more power over their lives. |
Mr Miliband said: "I know why we talked about being a bridge between Europe and America. Because they were talking past each other. | |
"But France and Germany now have good relations with America. That is good, but bridge was never quite right. We have global assets. A global language. Global businesses and NGOs. And global networks. | |
"That is why I talk about Britain as a global hub, promoting our values and interests on the global stage. | |
"We are members of the EU. Our most important bilateral relationship is with the US. And in China and India, our links with Europe and America help us do that." | |
Mr Miliband went on to emphasise that globalisation has brought internationally shared interests and problems. | |
What is progressive politics if not the desire to see more people as actors rather than spectators in life's dramas? Foreign Secretary David Miliband | |
He said: "From climate change and health pandemics to financial stability, national security comes not at the expense of other nations but in parallel. | |
"The challenge is to find ways to co-operate rather than compete, mobilising collective action in a world where power is more dispersed between nations, businesses and people. | |
"This civilian surge embodies the ideal of progressive politics, for what is progressive politics if not the desire to see more people as actors rather than spectators in life's dramas? | |
"Progressives can speak to this condition - but only by fusing rather than choosing between social democratic commitment to social justice through collective action and radical liberal commitment to individual freedom in a market economy." | |
In July last year Mr Miliband insisted the US would continue to be the UK's most important partner. | In July last year Mr Miliband insisted the US would continue to be the UK's most important partner. |
His assertion came after comments from two other ministers seemed to hint at a cooling of relations with the US. | His assertion came after comments from two other ministers seemed to hint at a cooling of relations with the US. |
Mr Miliband said issues such as climate change and terrorism could only be tackled with the US. | Mr Miliband said issues such as climate change and terrorism could only be tackled with the US. |
He gave the keynote speech at the Fabian Society's Change the World conference. |
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