VIDEO: Debate on A Global Britain

On Monday I gave a speech in Parliament on Britain’s role in the world, post-Brexit.

I covered two areas in particular: how our response to COVID, especially in sharing vaccine technology and therapies, could help define what kind of country Britain is post-Brexit; and how we will be judged on our environmental legacy, especially as COP26 approaches.

This is an important debate.

Like many here I was elected on a promise to 'Get Brexit Done'.

To move past the indecision and stagnation of the last parliament and finally enact the will of the people as expressed in the referendum.

But more than that, I believe that this parliament is here to heal the wounds of that battle and start to speak for a Global Britain that is confident of itself, and of its place in the world, as we strike out with a new sense of purpose.

And that striking out isn't just about trade deals. Although let's not hide our light under a bushel with regards to that and the incredible achievement of my RHF and her team in delivering more than 60 of these in quick order. Trade delivers jobs and British goods, and secures British interests.

Striking out is about confidence and projection. Reigniting ties with old allies and forging new ones too.

We don't have to look far beyond the current pandemic to understand exactly what a roused Britain can do.

We developed our very own vaccine here in the UK. The Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine was a partnership between industry, the NHS, the government, academia and our regulator. It will save lives here and overseas.

This vaccine is a bold statement of what Global Britain can achieve. Low cost, able to be stored in a regular fridge - it will provide hope for so many in the developing world.

But a Global Britain doesn't stop there with just production. We have committed over £500million to ensure that developing countries get equitable access to vaccines. This pandemic has been a great leveller, and it is absolutely right that a Global Britain ensures that our own recovery is not balanced on the backs of those who can least afford the economic cost.

But I hope that we will go further. As we continue development of monoclonal antibodies in the UK - offering hope to those with suppressed immune systems for whom a vaccine will not be a solution - I hope we will look to making such landmark biopharmaceuticals available to those who most need them globally as well.

While our actions around the pandemic will tell a tale of their own about Britain's new role in the world, so will our actions in other fields. Just as the pandemic is a global challenge, so we must show leadership in other areas which are global challenges.

I'm delighted that the Prime Minister has announced today that the UK will commit at least £3 billion to climate change solutions that protect and restore nature and biodiversity.

Climate change is the great challenge of our age and our treatment of it is the legacy which we will pass to our children and our children's children.

We now have the opportunity to shape how and with who we trade. To advance high standards, champion democracy and the rule of law, and reflect and project British values across the world.

We have the opportunity to show Global Britain in action: confident, optimistic and out and into the world.