London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Tuesday, Sep 01, 2026

UK's fear of post-Brexit failure stopping 'global Britain' leading against China

UK's fear of post-Brexit failure stopping 'global Britain' leading against China

TOBIAS ELLWOOD has insisted Brexit Britain must not be hesitant in showing leadership against China.

Tory MP and Chair of the House of Commons Defence Select Committee, Tobias Ellwood, argued the UK was not fully utilising its position on the global stage. During an interview with Express.co.uk, Mr Ellwood argued Brexit Britain must not be fearful of failure when dealing with international issues. He argued there is a great need to stand up to China's aggression and the UK could fill this need.

He added he was hopeful but had doubts global Britain would be able to live up to the lofty opportunities afforded to it as an international global powerhouse.

Mr Ellwood said: "Going back to the risk adverseness of the West, there is a gap in the market for international leadership.

"Britain is in a strong position to show some leadership, certainly working with the United States.

"The original Atlantic charter was all about us putting our heads together and coming up with something which we were then able to invite other nations to support and join.

Tobias Ellwood insisted Brexit Britain must not be hesitant in showing leadership against China.


"That lead to the development of the so-called Bretton Woods organisations that have served us well but are now very dated indeed.

"The United Nations is not able to hold current nations to account.

"The World Health Organisation is struggling with this pandemic as well.

"The World Trade Organisation has been walked across because of China.

"China agreed to sign up but they are not following the rules.

"So we need a massive update, we need a reset and Britain could play an important role here."

Mr Ellwood then touched on his fears regarding global Brexit Britain going forward on the international stage.

He said: "My concern is that Britain just doesn't have the bandwidth whether it be Covid or Brexit.

Mr Ellwood then touched on his fears regarding global Brexit Britain going forward on the international stage.


"To do the global Britain you really need to advance the wider capacity, you need to be able to better coordinate our foreign policy, our security, our trade and our interests into better grand strategies.

"At the moment it is far too siloed, far too hesitant."

The Tory MP concluded what he believed was the UK's problem and its behavioural issues resolving global issues.

He said: "Yemen is a great example, we could have solved that a long time ago.

"We could have probably if we put our heads to it, solved the Kashmir problem between Pakistan and India.

"We don't step forward, we are shy in realising, for fear of failure, to show that leadership that we illustrated a couple of times in the last century."

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
England Faces Renewed Scrutiny Over Sewage Discharges and Water Quality
Victoria Beckham Business Reports First Operating Profit Since Launch
BT Expects £2 Billion From Copper Sales During Full-Fibre Rollout
UK Train Drivers Secure 3.6% Pay Rise and Avert Strike Action
FCA Chief Faces Scrutiny Over Alleged Pressure on Consumer Group in Car Finance Case
Kemi Badenoch Names Andrew Griffith Shadow Chancellor in Conservative Reshuffle
UK House Prices Rise for First Time Since April
UK Shop-Price Inflation Accelerates to 1.5% in August
Met Office Data Point to Hottest UK Summer on Record
UK Announces Emergency Prison Release Measures and £110 Million Capacity Expansion
UK Launches Expanded Free School Meals and 1,400 Breakfast Clubs
Bank of England Governor Warns G20 of AI-Related Economic and Cyber Risks
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Calls for Greater Public Control of Water, Energy and Transport
UK Gains Full Access to £13 Trillion Trans-Pacific Trade Bloc
UK Long-Term Borrowing Costs Hit 28-Year High as Oil Shock Drives Global Bond Selloff
Royal Mail Keeps First-Class Stamps at £1.80 and Second-Class at 91p
Church of England Prepares Formal Apology Over Historical Forced Adoptions
UK Competition Regulator Caps Veterinary Prescription Fees at £21
UK Aviation Authorities Roll Out Airspace Changes to Reduce Flight Delays
England Makes School Allergy Policies Mandatory Under Benedict’s Law
England and Wales Tighten Child Safeguarding Checks by Removing Supervision Exemption
Cornwall Geothermal Plant Begins Commercial Power and Lithium Operations
UK Inflation Holds Near 2.9% as Energy Costs Remain a Risk
UK Productivity Growth Averages 1.1% Over Two Years, Resolution Foundation Says
England Introduces Nationwide School Smartphone Ban and Uniform Limits
UK Gives Border Officers New Powers to Seize Migrants’ Mobile Phones
Green Party Wins First Westminster By-Election in Gorton and Denton
UK and EU Advance Gibraltar Border Deal Allowing Spanish Guards to Conduct Arrival Checks
Robert Jenrick Joins Reform UK After Losing Conservative Whip
Andy Burnham Faces First Prime Minister’s Questions After Labour Cabinet Overhaul
ScottishPower Recycles Nearly All Materials From Historic Hagshaw Hill Wind Farm
Millions Travel Across England, Wales and Northern Ireland for Summer Bank Holiday
Met Office Issues Yellow Thunderstorm Warnings Across Southern England
Four Arrested After Bank Holiday Stabbing Violence in Kettering
Scottish Chamber of Commerce Warns Tax and Business Costs Risk Holding Back Scotland
UK Government Launches Youth Employment Drive With Major Retailers
UK and Ukraine Advance AI and Defence Technology Partnership
Prime Minister Andy Burnham Moves to Exclude Serious Offenders From Early Release
Twelve Arrested After A66 Crash Kills Seven, Including Two Police Officers
Bank of England Governor Warns AI Investment Boom Could Trigger Global Market Correction
London Science Museum Ends Long-Running BP Sponsorship
Scottish Homeowners Prepare Valuation Challenges Over Proposed Mansion Tax
UK Prosecutors Consider Charges Against Undercover Police in Spycops Scandal
James Cleverly Leaves Shadow Cabinet to Run for London Mayor
Avanti West Coast Drivers Agree 3.6% Pay Rise, Averting Strike Action
Allianz Explores £5 Billion Takeover of British Roadside Assistance Group AA
UK Government Retreats From Plan to Unfreeze Personal Income Tax Threshold
Northern Ireland Leaders Press UK Government for Sustainable Funding Settlement
UK Health Agency Warns Nationwide Salmonella Outbreak Could Worsen
NHS Warns Autism and ADHD Assessment Costs Have Become Unsustainable
×