Britain's Quest for a Role: A Diplomatic Memoir from Europe to the UN

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British post-imperial decline has been much examined. In these memoirs, David Hannay, one of Britain's leading behind-the-scenes players in this process, provides fascinating frontline information and insights into Britain's complex relations with Washington and Europe. From his early career in the Middle East to his role as a top diplomat, Hannay presents a detailed and authoritative narrative of British foreign policy in the second half of the 20th Century. A key player in European policy-making, he was directly involved in bringing about the UK's entry into the European Community, as well as being closely involved in the Annan plan while he was the UK's Special Representative in Cyprus. Hannay illuminates vital themes in the early relationship between Britain and the EU that are increasingly relevant today: British membership, EU enlargement and Britain's contribution to the European budget. From the complex relations between Margaret Thatcher and her diplomatic establishment to Britain's decisions leading up to the 1970s oil supply crisis, Hannay analyses the causes and consequences of major British foreign policy decisions over the past 50 years.
An informed and balanced ringside view of diplomatic history over 50 years, this book will fascinate general readers and prove essential reading for specialists.

Reviews

"I had the privilege of working with David Hannay when I was Minister for Europe and then Foreign Secretary. He is one of Britain's outstanding diplomats who served his country well. This book has remarkable insights into how the European Union works and has evolved. It also has trenchant comments, not always comfortable to hear, on British foreign policy over the last fifty years. Whether one is a Europhile or a Eurosceptic, this is a book one will benefit from reading." - Sir Malcolm Rifkind was Minister for Europe from 1983-86 and Foreign Secretary from 1995-97. "David Hannay is a wise man of the world. This books tells you where he got his wisdom." - David Miliband. "One could argue that today the two most important positions in the British Foreign Service are to lead our delegations at the EU and at the UN. Both posts need a clear quick unfussed mind and the ability to communicate thoughts in public. As Foreign Secretary I was glad to have David Hannay holding both these posts in succession. His book shows him at work in Brussels and then in New York. He tells us much about the working of both institutions. If can be warmly recommended to anyone with an interest in foreign affairs." - Lord Hurd of Westwell. "British diplomats as a group are a clever bunch. David Hannay is one of the cleverest. It was his, and his country's good fortune, that his diplomatic career took him from Iran and Afghanistan to Brussels, Washington and the UN. This account of that journey is elegantly framed around the idea of a modern Britain in search of a role. As part of a generation of officials that enabled Britain to punch above its weight he made the British case from EU accession to the UN Security Council. But the skill of his and his colleagues performance has perhaps allowed their political masters to get away to this day without answering that tricky question about our country's role in the world." - Lord Malloch-Brown. "I am delighted to be able to say that I welcome this book as a gripping first-hand account and analysis of contemporary history - founded upon, and well illustrated by, an abundance of perceptive personality profiles." - Lord Howe of Aberavon. "Lord Hannay, one of Britain's most distinguished and intellectually sharp public servants of the last 50 years, has written a wise and perceptive account of the major international issues of the period, in many of which he had been personally involved. Anyone who cares about the credibility of UK policy and Britain's ability still to define and pursue its national interest will enjoy and profit from these memoirs". - Lord Patten of Barnes.

Author Bio

David Hannay (Lord Hannay of Chiswick), one of Britain's most distinguished Foreign Office veterans, served in a number of key diplomatic posts and has been immersed in the conduct of British foreign policy relating to the UN, Europe and the Middle East over the last half century. He was Minister at the British Embassy in Washington, Ambassador to the European Communities from 1985 to 1990, and Ambassador to the United Nations from 1990 to 1995. Following his retirement from Britain's Diplomatic Service, he was the UK's Special Representative for Cyprus from 1996 to 2003. He is a member of the House of Lords' European Select Committee. He is the author of Cyprus: The Search for a Solution and New World Disorder: The UN After the Cold War - An Insider's View (both published by I.B.Tauris).