Thread by @haynesdeborah

In Singapore with @Jeremy_Hunt who is talking about “Britain’s role in a post-Brexit world”

@Jeremy_Hunt “The UK probably has better connections across the globe than nearly any other country. But we cannot depend on sentiment or affection to be relevant to others. Nor should we assume that because of past achievements others will have an interest in our future success.”

@Jeremy_Hunt JH: “As we leave the European Union, Britain can draw encouragement from how Singapore’s separation from the Peninsula did not make it more insular but more open. In Lee Kuan Yew’s phrase, 1965 marked the moment when Singapore “plugged into the international economic grid”.”

@Jeremy_Hunt JH: “What was right for Singapore will not always be right for Britain. We are committed to our social model and as a former Health Secretary I am particularly proud of our National Health Service with universal provision, free at the point of use...

@Jeremy_Hunt ... But there is much we can learn from Singapore, not least the excellence of its education system, the long term investment in infrastructure and a strategic approach to how a nation sustains competitive advantage in the world.“

@Jeremy_Hunt Jeremy Hunt warns of challenge to international rules based order by Russia, drawing on annexation of Crimea and Salisbury attack. He also picks out North Korea VX attack and Syrian regime chemical weapons use

@Jeremy_Hunt JH on the UK’s status: “We should begin with a realistic assessment of our global position. That means not overestimating our strength but not underestimating it either.
We are not a superpower and we do not have an empire...

@Jeremy_Hunt But we do have 5th biggest economy in world, 2nd biggest military budget in NATO, 3rd biggest overseas aid budget, one of 2 largest financial centres... highly effective intelligence services & a world class diplomatic network, including permanent membership of Security Council”

@Jeremy_Hunt On shifting world power: In new The Future is Asian, Parag Khanna writes of $30 trillion in extra middle class consumption expected by 2030, only $1 trillion will come from the West. Power always follows money, so rise of Asia will have a profound impact on the global balance.

@Jeremy_Hunt Importance of allies: “Those nations who share values are going to need to stand together to defend them.
As happened after Salisbury nerve attack, when 28 democracies came together and expelled 153 Russian spies, the biggest coordinated expulsion in the history of diplomacy.”

@Jeremy_Hunt JH speaks about need to reform multilateral institutions with an eye to securing support from @realDonaldTrump: “They were set up in the 20th century but they need to be fit for the 21st century...

@Jeremy_Hunt @realDonaldTrump ...not least to make sure they operate fairly for the United States which is not just the largest and most powerful democracy but also, in nearly every case, their largest donor.”

@Jeremy_Hunt @realDonaldTrump . @Jeremy_Hunt doesn’t confirm plans - suggested by @GavinWilliamson - to build a new military base in Asia, such as in Singapore. Instead he says there is a plan to expand the UK’s military presence in the region, which isn’t as specific as his cabinet colleague

@Jeremy_Hunt @realDonaldTrump @GavinWilliamson JH swerves a question that ended with a suggestion of him becoming PM: we already have a PM doing a v difficult job (not exact quote)

@Jeremy_Hunt @realDonaldTrump @GavinWilliamson JH (one time Remainer) gives very strong defence of the need to respect results of Brexit referendum. He says he would never support a second referendum

@Jeremy_Hunt @realDonaldTrump @GavinWilliamson He says the answer is: “delivering a true Brexit for the 52% who voted for it but a generous Brexit for the 48% who were worried that Brexit could mean Britain cutting itself off from the world.”

@Jeremy_Hunt @realDonaldTrump @GavinWilliamson Last four tweets are from Q&A currently taking place after the foreign secretary’s speech. Everyone is asking about Brexit. No surprise

@Jeremy_Hunt @realDonaldTrump @GavinWilliamson JH still upbeat UK will be at front of queue in post-Brexit trade deal with US in contrast to US ambassador to UK: “Trump made clear he would seek to sign a trade deal with the UK as soon as possible after Brexit. He would put us at the front of the queue”

@Jeremy_Hunt @realDonaldTrump @GavinWilliamson JH siding with @realDonaldTrump on @NATO spending, calls out European allies that don’t meet 2% spending minimum of GDP on defence. He says: “Nato needs to change... alliances have to be fair to all partners”