Okay so- it's nearly election time. Shouldn't be too hard to do better than the existing lot. So here goes:
Foreign Affairs:
We will definitely not be drawn into conflicts in other countries- or sponsor, fund, arm or logistically support any sides in any conflicts around the world. We will not be pushing for "regime change". If other nations wish to change their leaders- good luck to them- don't rely on us. That is after-all what the United Nations is for.
We will insist on the United Nations being the forum for dealing with any international matters, conflicts or issues- just like it used to be. Of course, we will (in Tony Blair style) ask for reform of the United Nations along the following lines-
All new UN resolutions will be binding on all affected countries and parties.
All old UN resolutions will be tabled again & if adopted will be binding
The UN Security Council which is partisan & ineffective will be dissolved - to be replaced by the UN General Assembly as the world's decision making forum. The idea of some countries having more "weight" than others or having vetoes is not acceptable.
We will pull all troops out of everywhere. There's no need for unnecessary wars.
We believe the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a key priority and needs to be engaged with. To this end we will intensify current diplomatic efforts based on a 2- state solution. This would mean, and we would seek international support for an immediate stop to the building of additional settlements on disputed land. There would be a "committee" of international stakeholders to engage both sides in negotiations.
In the interim- and for the first time- we would advocate that Palestine is made a "Protectorate" of the UN. It then becomes the world's business- and this approach would guarantee a Palestinian State-once negotiations are complete. There would be no need for Palestinians to feel the need to resort to desperate tactics to achieve their aim of a separate viable state. There will immediately be a Palestinian State- under the auspices of the new reformed UN. The exact boundaries of any such state however will be subject to negotiation- between Israel and the UN. This will now be everybody's business.
We will support enhanced roles for the various organs of the UN- UNESCO, UNICEF & so on.
In summary- our policy will be one of peace, mutual cooperation, tackling poverty worldwide, improving trade links and communication links globally.
But what about terrorism, militant groups and such like. Well, these will be engaged head -on by a multinational UN anti-terrorist collaborative force. This will not be a peacekeeping force. We will do what it takes.
There you have it.
Culture Media & Sport:
We will maintain current levels of support and funding streams for sport- at all levels from grassroot to Olympic level. We will not however allow participation in any international event organised by countries in which human rights and/or the rule of law are seriously compromised. We will work to attract top level international competition to the UK- such as World & European Championships in various sports.
We will similarly maintain current support and funding streams for the arts. We will initiate the creation of a national venue for top-level United Kingdom & International art & cultural events- having the same status as the Tate Gallery for example. This will be a designated National Theatre. We will similarly seek to identify regional and county venues which are able to serve as arenas for government supported cultural and theatrical events which people can access at very low rates.
We will immediately seek through parliament- a major review of the BBC licence fee. Our aim will be for a trimmed-down settlement which allows the broadcast of public service programmes, but doesn't support big-budget entertainment programmes for export (such as "The Voice", "The Musketeers" and similar programmes which would be expected to generate sufficient funds to support the other aspects of the BBC's work. Our projected figure for a potential licence fee is £49.99.
There you have it.
