What role for Britain on the world stage?

In 1914 Britain dominated the world stage. She was the pre-eminent world power, in possession of an empire covering one quarter of the world’s surface and governing one-fifth of the world’s population at the time. She was the world’s strongest economy, with an unrivalled navy and an esteemed military, making her a sought-after ally and one of the most respected political forces on the world stage.

Fast forward 100 years and Britain’s role in international politics is open to debate. On the one hand, the nation boasts the world’s tenth largest economy, with a combined wealth of over 2000 billion US dollars and an unemployment rate of 5.8%, significantly better than much of the rest of Europe (the Eurozone has an unemployment rate of 11.9%). In addition, Britain remains an important member of a number of international forums (the G7, G8 and G20 for instance) and retains strong diplomatic links with not only her former colonies through the Commonwealth but also with the majority of major economies across the world. On the other hand, the size of the British economy suffers in comparison to those of the rapidly developing BRIC nations (Brazil, Russia, India and China), as well as the USA and some of the leading European nations. What is more, although still an esteemed military force (Britain remains a permanent member of the UN Security Council and the sixth greatest spender on its military worldwide), Britain now usually plays a junior role to the US in military endeavours.

As a result, in a world where economic growth and the ability to project military power dictates international standing, more and more Britain finds herself struggling to be heard. A century of change has left the nation in an unusual position, causing both politicians and citizens alike to ponder what Britain’s role on the world stage is these days and how that will change. For many, Britain appears to have more influence than it should given the geo-political changes of the last 100 hundred years, and they wonder if this will continue.

Ipsos’s 2014 summer survey of MPs reveals a division of opinion amongst the nation’s politicians on this subject. While an overwhelming majority (92%) believe that ‘Britain is a force for good in international politics’, 9 in 10 (90%) agree that ‘Britain is punching above its weight when it comes to international politics’. Furthermore almost one-half (49%) agree that ‘Britain’s power and influence is waning’. While it is clear that Labour and Tories have different opinions on this issue, the fact remains that a majority of Labour MPs, and fully a third of their Tory colleagues, agree that Britain’s power and influence is declining.

The reasons given for these beliefs reflect worries about the rise of new and alternative powers on the world stage. One quarter (26%) of the MPs who agree that Britain’s power and influence is waning say that changes in world geopolitics over the last century have seen Britain lose out, with nations such as China and the USA ‘catching up’ with British success; “countries like China, which for a long time were sleeping giants, are now flexing their muscles and so without Britain doing anything other countries have caught up in terms of international affairs and we will soon be in their wake”. A further quarter of MPs (24%) refer specifically to economic change arguing that “British trade is not as central to the world economy as it used to be” and that Britain is now ”a relatively small country compared to the economic powerhouses of Brazil, India, China, America and Japan”.

That said, a significant minority (38%) of MPs disagree with the idea that Britain’s power and influence on the world stage is declining, arguing that Britain’s continued membership of important international forums such as the G7 and UN demonstrates continued influence in international affairs, and that the nation’s close links with the USA make Britain a core partner in all of the ‘strong collaborations’ that happen at a geo-political level.

What is most interesting, however, is that one-third (32%) of MPs reference Britain’s membership of the European Union as a reason for its waning power and influence. Given recent events one might be forgiven for assuming that MPs view Britain’s relationship with Europe in a negative light. However, what is clear from the comments is that many of this nation’s elected representatives see Britain’s continued membership of the European Union as necessary to revitalising, and preserving, its international standing.

Isolation from Europe is both “disruptive” and “alienating” according to MPs and losing Britain vital allies on the world stage. As one MP recognises, “we are a medium-sized country on the west coast of Europe and the world has changed”.

A closer relationship with Europe, especially when it comes to multinational trade negotiations, MPs argue, would enable Britain to challenge the rise of the BRICs; “there are emerging markets in China and Brazil, India and the Pacific region, with highly successful, rapidly growing economies, and they are going to be significant players globally which is one reason why we need to be a part of the European Common Market”.

Indeed, the European Union is today the world’s richest ‘nation’ and home to 7% of the world’s population, with a combined purchasing power of 20% of world GDP. As the world’s largest single market, a positive association with Europe gives Britain greater weight in international affairs and makes the UK an attractive ally, especially for the USA who in the eyes of many MPs “sees its relationship with Britain as important through the prism of our active participation in the leadership of Europe”.

What MPs believe Great Britain needs to do, therefore, is to take a more active role in European politics. Far from being downbeat about Britain’s international standing (remember 92% agree that the country is a ‘force for good’ in international politics), they see an opportunity for the country to reassert itself on the world stage from a position of leadership within the EU; ”too many politicians still think they are in an Empire…they need to accept we are no longer a superpower and we need to adjust to the modern world, which means working with our democratic European neighbours…rather than being continually disruptive and following mad military adventures”. As another MP puts it, “we had an Empire, we lost the brunt of it over 60 or 70 years ago and it is taking a little while for that message to get through to ourselves as well as to everyone else”.

What comes through loud and clear is a belief that Britain needs to adapt its expectations to present day conditions and leave its exceptionalist past behind. A more positive relationship with Europe is something to embrace rather than run from.

Ipsos’s MPs' survey runs twice annually, interviewing a representative sample of c.100 MPs from the UK House of Commons. Interviews are conducted face-to-face.