Explaining his doctrine, Lammy said a progressive realist foreign policy would aim for “just goals — for example climate change, defending democracy, and advancing the world’s economic development” rather than just accumulation of power.
Cooper, at least so far, seems determined to keep her focus more narrow.
In advance of last week’s summit, the FCDO announced it would increase the number of staff working on the issue of migration, including drawing up sanctions on people smugglers and pursuing migrant returns agreements.
Two officials, granted anonymity to speak candidly, said she also wants to break down silos in Britain’s embassies, where at present, FCDO staff are often stationed alongside Home Office staff, but don’t speak to one another.
She believes she has expertise to share with her counterparts as a veteran of the home affairs brief for the last nine years, first as select committee chair and then as shadow home secretary in opposition.
“Other countries asking for her input as a former interior minister – they recognize it’s not just a U.K. but a global issue,” said one of the two officials.