Britain rediscovered protagonist of global challenges

The key to reading this book lies in its subtitle: the return of the United Kingdom among the protagonists of global challenges. The author illustrates and at times anticipates the path of progressive rapprochement of the new Labour government, elected last July, to Europe and beyond. After 14 years of the Conservative party in Downing Street that gave us Brexit and an isolationist drift, London is now looking across the Channel again, forging alliances and presenting itself as a pillar of European security, as a mediator between the European Union and the United States and, above all, as a partner that is once again reliable.

Gone are the ´ten years that shook the Kingdom´, writes Marco Varvello, who reported on these years as RAI correspondent from Britain. London now ´looks to Europe not only for economic and commercial reasons but also for shared values and common strategic interest´.

And, given the war in Ukraine, Russia's aggressiveness, and the economic and political instability caused by US President Donald Trump, ¨never before has the UK become more important to Europe and vice versa¨.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has undoubtedly changed register, attitude and goals, as seen in the revival of relations with the EU, although all still to be realised, or the UK's convinced participation in supporting Ukraine and the future European defence and security alliance.

All positive signs, and now ´Brexit looks more and more like an accident of history´, writes Varvello. Yet the populist drift and the ideological fantasies that led the British to leave the EU still have a grip and the visceral anti-Europeanism of certain British people is entrenched, as can be seen from the success of Reform, the party led by Nigel Farage, former leader of the Brexit Party.