LEADING THE WORLD
Ever since coming into office, Gordon Brown and Tony Blair have made huge efforts to end poverty in Africa, not just by increasing aid, but by debt relief and fighting corruption. They have encouraged other rich countries to do likewise and by the formation of the Commission for Africa.
They even have the blessing of Bob Geldof, God bless him.
George Bush, in hoc to industry, chooses to shirk his responsibilities as world leader regarding global warming, and takes a purely selfish, blinkered view.
Hence, by default, Blair is leading the worldwide battle to reduce pollution, a far from easy task.
France, to divert attention from their referendum failure, lashes out at Britain's European financial rebate. Once again, Blair comes out fighting, saying, quite rightly, that the whole European budget needs a basic rethink, as does the direction Europe is heading and he is finding allies in that view.
All in all, our coming chairmanships of the G8 and of the European Community put us in a highly influential and powerful position.
Perhaps we are not quite at the heart of Europe, but Britain has earned its place as world leader in many respects.
Dave
