​

How recent foreign policy shows the government’s moral decline

u/M_horses

The most recent ethical controversy to grip Westminster is quite simple in nature; whether or not the government is being fair in its application of moral standards around the world, and at a more base level, whether or not it had any to begin with.

In both a recent article and answers during minsters questions, the Foreign Secretary has emphasised the flexibility and selectiveness of Britain’s policy abroad.

In a way most telling about the very soul of our government, sanctions are decided based not on the moral repugnance of the perpetrator but by how much of a service country provides – by how much value it holds as both a market and a vendor. Thus, if you happen to be a Middle Eastern country with a penchant for the execution of innocents, you will remain untouched, proving you keep up your steady sales of oil and your purchases of arms.

The government’s messages about their policy of exploring alternate routes first rings even more hollow when you consider the plight of the commonwealth nations not even informed their aid was being cut. Whether or not it is justified, to cut aid based off a particular vote on Russia in the UN, is irrelevant to the fact it is one procedure for them and another for states that can pay.

This is a clear and highly transparent example of the moral bankruptcy at the heart of Westminster. Profit from arms, from oil - two deeply harmful industries in themselves - are placed in front of human lives. It begs the question what are the foreign office’s priorities, exporting British values of tolerance, democracy, and justice? Or upholding the short-term profits of corporate death merchants and oil barons?

It is certain who the real winners and losers are in this situation - the status quo of blood-dipped cash filling London bank accounts remains and Britain’s reputation as a bastion of decency and morality slips further below the waves.

But at least Yemeni children can look up at the bombs falling on them and be grateful they are so personally involved in this most lucrative of markets.