'Global Britain' campaign postponed on Covid-19 resurgence

FOLLOWING last month's EU-UK trade deal, Prime Minister Boris Johnson had planned to make January the start of a new post-Brexit campaign launch for "Global Britain". However, that has been postponed because of the pandemic's resurgence.

With a huge spike in the United Kingdom's coronavirus infections, and tragically deaths too, Mr Johnson was forced last week to cancel an important trip this month to India where Prime Minister Narendra Modi had invited him to be guest of honour at the annual Republic Day parade in New Delhi. Those plans, as with much else beyond the coronavirus crisis, are now on hold until the pandemic is brought under control.

For the UK government, Global Britain is about reinvesting in relationships, championing a rules-based international order, and demonstrating that England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are open, outward-looking and confident on the world stage. Stung by criticism of his Brexit approach last year, Mr Johnson wants to showcase the UK's continued foreign leadership and engagement of international partners.