London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Monday, Mar 30, 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
Starmer Signals UK Crackdown on Addictive Social Media Features
Rising Costs Push One in Five UK Hospitality Businesses to the Brink of Closure
Man Arrested on Suspicion of Attempted Murder After Car Strikes Pedestrians in UK, Injuring Seven
Escalating Conflict Involving Iran Tightens Fiscal Pressures and Highlights UK Economic Vulnerabilities
UK Moves to Confront Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Operating in Its Waters
UK Housing Divide Deepens as Older Owners Hold Wealth While Under-30s Face Mounting Barriers
London Demonstration Calls on UK to Recognize Iranian Opposition’s Provisional Government
UK Green Party Vote on ‘Zionism is Racism’ Motion Collapses Amid Internal Disputes and Technical Failures
SNL UK Ignites Debate with Sharp Royal Satire Targeting Prince Andrew and Prince William
EU Proposes ‘Emergency Brake’ to Resolve Deadlock in UK Youth Mobility Talks
Thousands Rally in London to Oppose Rise of Far-Right Movements
Hong Kong Official Rejects Allegations of Surveillance Orders Targeting UK-Based Dissidents
PayPal Expands Cryptocurrency Services to Allow UK Users to Buy and Sell Bitcoin
UK Minister Challenges Reform Party’s ‘Pro-Family’ Agenda as Debate Intensifies
Concerns Grow Over Meningitis Risk Among UK Students Amid Warning Signs of New Outbreaks
Japanese Grand Prix 2026: Schedule, UK Start Times and Full Broadcast Details
Electric Vehicles Seen as Strategic Solution to UK Fuel Reserve Concerns
Rise of Lone-Actor Threats and Online Radicalisation Drives New Wave of Antisemitic Attacks in the UK
Canada Advances Plan to Ban Cryptocurrency Donations in Election Campaigns
UK Faces Looming Medicine Shortages as Iran Conflict Threatens Supply Chains
Deadly Meningitis Outbreak in the U.K. Highlights Urgent Need for Vaccination
Fresh Claims Emerge Over Harry and Meghan’s Australia Visit as Insider Speaks Out
NATO Assessment Indicates UK Defence Spending Has Fallen Below Alliance Average
FTSE 100 Slips as Middle East Tensions Weigh on Investor Sentiment
UK Economy Begins to Feel Early Impact of Iran Conflict as Policy Challenges Intensify
Russian National Jailed in UK After Assault Case Linked to Barron Trump’s Alert
Energy Price Surge Accelerates Shift Away from Fossil Fuels in UK Homes
UK Museums House More Than 260,000 Human Remains, New Report Reveals
Surging UK Gilt Yields Reflect Inflation Pressures and Fiscal Uncertainty
UK Issues Updated Guidance on Children’s Screen Time with Focus on Balance and Wellbeing
UK Migration Figures Show Shifting Trends Across Asylum, Visas and Channel Crossings
UK Watchdog Launches Probe into Five Firms Over Alleged Fake Reviews and Ratings
Jaguar Land Rover Halts Production at UK Plant Amid Supplier Disruption
UK Police Reverse Position, Confirm Arrests Will Resume for Palestine Action Protests
UK Small Businesses Face Europe’s Steepest Cost Pressures, New Survey Reveals
US Envoy Urges UK to Proceed with King’s Visit Amid Diplomatic Sensitivities
FTSE 100 Drops Over One Percent as Middle East Tensions Weigh on Markets
UK CO2 Plant Set to Reopen as Authorities Move to Safeguard Supplies Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Urges Stronger Defence Investment as He Questions Allied Naval Capabilities
New COVID Variant Detected in UK Raises Concerns Over Vaccine Effectiveness
FTSE Russell Moves to Standardise Free-Float Rules for UK and International Listings
HBO Max Launches in UK and Ireland, Marking Major Step in Global Streaming Expansion
UK Signals Readiness to Seize Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Vessels in Escalation of Sanctions Enforcement
Escalating Middle East Conflict Seen as Major Threat to UK Economic Stability
Early Challenges Mark Prince Harry and Meghan’s Australia Visit
UK Government Rejects Cover-Up Claims After Theft of Former PM Aide’s Phone
Cyprus Opens Strategic Talks with UK Over Sovereign Base Areas
UK Faces Risk of Sharp Inflation Surge Despite Stable Pre-Crisis Figures
UK Police Arrest Two Over Suspected Antisemitic Arson as Iran Link Investigated
UK Inflation Holds at Three Percent Ahead of Oil Price Shock from Iran Conflict
×