Jim Murphy

Challenging Anti-Semitism

I gave the inaugural lecture at the launch of the European Institute for the Study of Contemporary Anti-Semitism in the House of Commons last night - a new think tank aiming to re-engage the academic debate on combatting anti-Semitism. There was lots of interest in my speech - you can read it in full here.

Posted at 12:46 15 July 2008 by Jim Murphy  |  Comments[2]

Changing relationships - the US, UK and EU

For those of you who have been following my visit to the US I thought I should post a quick blog on a second speech I gave. I spoke at the Brookings Institution this morning in Washington. The topic was about the evolution of the transatlantic agenda, and the vital role of public diplomacy in it. Click here to read it . Let me know what you think.

There was a good discussion about climate change, Russia, the media and cooperation between democracies. I enjoyed it and it was great of Brookings to host it. Its been a busy 24 hours for them with British politicians because my friend and UK Defence Secretary Des Browne spoke there yesterday. Click here to read his speech 

Posted at 14:52 12 July 2008 by Jim Murphy  |  Comments[3]

Engaging in D.C.

I officially launched the public diplomacy publication "Engagement" on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. last night. I spoke about why public diplomacy needs to change (easy: because the world is changing), and how we do that (harder: but it means engaging with and listening to the right people, in the right way, at the right time - as we develop policies and not just when we deliver them). Read my full speech online.

Congressman Payne, a member of the congressional Foreign Affairs Committee, kindly also spoke at the launch of the book and gave a fascinating snapshot of the shifts in public diplomacy trends in the USA and around the world since the phrase was coined in the 1960s. And he underlined the inclusivity of policy making in a globalised world that the book promotes. Let me know what you think - read it online.

Posted at 09:59 11 July 2008 by Jim Murphy  |  Comments[2]

Is climate change man made?

I thought I should post a second blog on my visit to Utah. I had lunch with the Mayor of Salt Lake City and the President of the Senate as well as other senior politicians. It was fascinating. I was in a minority in believing that climate change was indeed man made. Some of the politicians cited the various reports which claim that climate change is not new, and is simply the earth's natural cycle which repeats itself over time. These reports seem to have a real influence on them.

There were also concerns because Utah is more than 80% reliant on coal for its fuel. I explained that fossil fuel has an important future as long as we invest to make coal cleaner.

So in Britain the conversation has largely moved beyond the question of "is this a man made problem?" to trying to find the answer to "what do we do to repair our environment?"

But despite the strong leadership of Governor Huntsman some senior people in Utah are still sincerely and passionately debating the first question. While it is easy to criticise these views, it is more important to try to convince them of ours. Happy to hear your ideas on how it can be done.

Posted at 08:12 09 July 2008 by Jim Murphy  |  Comments[7]

Public Diplomacy and climate change on the west coast

I was in Los Angeles yesterday and I'm in Salt Lake City today as part of a visit to the USA to launch a book on public diplomacy. Academics, consultants, communicators, diplomats and myself have contributed essays about how governments need to revisit the idea of public diplomacy given the new context we're doing foreign policy in: the challenges of globalisation; the opportunities of new media and IT; and the power of publics and not just governments to deliver change. You can read the book online.

With the launch of the UK's consultation on renewable energy and France's aim to get a Europe wide agreement on renewables during the French Presidency of the EU (in the next 25 weeks), I'm also talking about climate change and low carbon in the west. In the spirit of a new kind of public diplomacy, I talked to policy influencers rather than policy makers in California - like the Climate Registry which is recording and tracking businesses' emissions before federal rules in the US require it - so they're making a difference now. And in Utah I met Governor Huntsman to compare the challenges faced by a state 98% dependent on fossil fuels, and to listen to their plans on how to reshape Utah's economy.

Posted at 22:44 08 July 2008 by Jim Murphy  |  Comments[0]

Violence at Pride parades

I was very upset to hear the reports of violence at the Pride parades in Prague, Riga and Sofia in the last few weeks, and also very disappointed that pressure from various sources meant the Pride parade in Moldova scheduled for May did not take place.   This was in marked contrast to the peaceful Pride held for the first time ever in Delhi on Sunday 29 June.

The FCO is committed to promoting equality and ending the discrimination of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people around the world and we've developed a program of skills and information for Embassies and diplomats to help achieve this. We look at where the UK can have a positive effect in providing information on the official British policy on gay rights and instructions in how to provide added value to equality and non-discrimination work. It covers a wide range of issues, from decriminalisation, sexual health, reproductive rights and health education to bilateral work with other countries.

Although we focus work in countries where homosexuality is criminalised, we also monitor the situation across Europe closely. The British Embassies in Warsaw and Riga, for example, were active in helping support and celebrate the diversity, equality and acceptance for all that the Pride events promote. We are also very active in international organisations in promoting our goal of equality for LGBT people in the enjoyment of human rights.

Posted at 12:36 03 July 2008 by Jim Murphy  |  Comments[3]

Chevening Reception

I'm finally getting the chance to blog about my visit to Edinburgh last week.  I attended one of our annual receptions for Chevening scholars, which are held all over the UK. 

I met a fascinating group of scholars from a wide range of countries studying at several different Scottish universities, plus one studying at Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland.  The Chevening scholarship scheme is important for the FCO and for the UK because it brings to the UK the people who have been identified by our embassies and other overseas posts as the future opinion formers and leaders of their countries. 

All the people I met in Edinburgh showed that they have the spark to be the 'changemakers' and to lead their countries into the future.  So I send them all my best wishes: for their dissertations in the next few months; and in the longer term for a continuing relationship with the UK.

We will be changing funding in future years to redirect FCO resources into climate change efforts, so competition for places will be even keener, but we do want to do more to keep in touch with alumni through the new Chevening website (www.chevening.com).

Posted at 16:22 01 July 2008 by Jim Murphy  |  Comments[0]

After the Final

I spent yesterday in Berlin - the day after the German team was beaten by Spain in the Euro 2008 final, and the day before the start of the French Presidency of the EU.

I passed the buses taking the team to meet Mrs. Merkel and hundreds of thousands of supporters. Everyone I met was proud of the German team's performance, though they all agreed that the better side had won. It makes you realise what you miss when none of the home teams qualify for these major football finals, but hopefully it will be different for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

As well as meetings, my friend the German Europe Minister Günter Gloser and I both spoke at a conference called Global Europe: An Anglo-German Agenda . All our relationships in Europe are important, but I left Berlin even more convinced that a continuing strong relationship with Germany is vital if we want to make progress through Europe on things that matter to people in the UK.

Posted at 14:51 01 July 2008 by Jim Murphy  |  Comments[0]

French Presidency Preparations 2: planes, trains and automobiles

Rich - in answer to your question on 25th: the normal and preferred option from London is to use the Eurostar - simpler, quicker and more environmentally friendly.  If I am going to Paris or Brussels from Scotland (where my constituency is) I fly, but any FCO officials attending the same meetings usually use the Eurostar.This week I travelled by Eurostar. 

Posted at 16:09 26 June 2008 by Jim Murphy  |  Comments[3]

I'm 10 pounds worse off

Incidentally for those of you who follow these things I am now £10 worse off and the local bookie is £10 better off as a result of Spain beating Italy in a penalty shoot out last week. I've no idea who will win Euro 2008 now.

Germany and their remarkably reliable team with a couple of exceptional goal scorers; Spain and their high tempo game (although this wasn't much in evidence against Italy); Russia and their young team who seem to get better and more confident with each game; Turkey and their never give up style which has seen them as the competition's comeback kings.

I'll leave the predictions to others.

Posted at 17:13 25 June 2008 by Jim Murphy  |  Comments[1]

French Presidency Preparations

With just a week to go until the French Presidency of the EU kicks off (and the Slovenians get a well deserved summer break) I'm off to Paris this afternoon to see French Europe Minister Jean Pierre Jouyet. We've spoken by phone over the last couple of weeks, as I have to a number of my European counterparts following the Irish No vote, but it's good to see him face to face, and reinforce the UK's support for the French government's work on climate change, migration policy and European defence.
 
I left for Paris straight after Oral Questions from MPs to Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers in the House of Commons earlier today. After a debate on the European Council last week, and the PM's statement on it yesterday, it was good to focus on some questions about what the UK and EU are doing to actually help people - tackling human trafficking for example. See what was said in Oral Questions, and other debates in the House of Commons.

Posted at 18:43 24 June 2008 by Jim Murphy  |  Comments[3]

Royal Assent

I spent this afternoon helping my old school, St Louise's Primary, in Glasgow, to celebrate its 50th anniversary.  Just beforehand I received the welcome news that the Bill for the UK to approve the Lisbon Treaty had received Royal Assent.  This marks the end of the Parliamentary process, during which the Bill has won support from majorities of both Houses of Parliament.   

Having spent much of my time since I became Minister for Europe reading the Treaty, discussing it with officials and explaining it to public, Parliament and press alike, it feels a little strange having it done and dusted (and now an Act of Parliament).  With the Irish people having voted 'no' to the Treaty in a referendum I'll still have plenty of work to do as we discuss with the Irish Government and our other European partners where we go from here. ( I discussed this with the Economist in an interview for their Certain Ideas of Europe podcast, yesterday. ) But I am also looking forward to having a bit more time to attend to the rest of my ministerial portfolio - there are a lot of pressing issues including relations with Russia, developments in the Balkans and what I hope will be significant progress in the Cyprus process.

The other recent welcome piece of news was that I won the "Minister of the Year" award last night at a ceremony organised by House magazine (the Parliamentary magazine).  The awards are voted on by all MPs and members of the House of Lords from all of the political parties in a secret ballot.  I was really pleased even to be nominated to the shortlist.  But to win is really lovely.  I also "wound up" (summarised) a debate on European Affairs yesterday in the House of Commons and it was a bit of a flashback to the many days spent debating the Treaty.  I think my award is also a testament to one of the fine qualities of Parliament - that even when we are debating issues that divide us and generate quite a bit of passion (like the EU) we can still  respect each others views.

Posted at 18:24 19 June 2008 by Jim Murphy  |  Comments[7]

Visit by President Christofias of Cyprus

President Dimitris Christofias and Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou of Cyprus were in London recently for their first official visit to the UK since President Christofias’ election in February. Given the sun that was beaming down on London during their visit, clearly the Cypriots brought some of their eastern-Mediterranean weather with them. 
 
I must admit to being very impressed by President Christofias’ commitment to a settlement and the leadership he has shown since his election earlier this year. This commitment was apparent throughout the visit.  Both in the meetings with the Prime Minister, and with the Foreign Secretary and I, we made it clear to President Christofias and Markos Kyprianou that the UK is ready and willing to support the settlement process as best possible, and is fully committed to the establishment of an indivisible Cyprus.  The Prime Minister also stressed that the UK wants to work with all parties, to help ensure progress towards a Cyprus settlement that all parties are happy with. 
 
The UK and Cypriot populations could not be closer –every year, more than 8,000 Cypriot students come to study in the UK, and Cyprus is the tourist destination of choice for more than one million Brits.  But politically, given our many shared objectives, there are also plenty of areas of potential cooperation between the UK and Cyprus, both in the EU and bilaterally, including subjects like water management, road safety, education and tourism.  Both the Foreign Secretary and I made clear throughout our meeting that we are looking forward to a strong partnership with Cyprus, based on friendship and cooperation.
 
I am very much looking forward to visiting Cyprus in the near future, and meeting, amongst others, the President and Foreign Minister again. My visit will be an opportunity to listen and learn, and explore how best the UK can support the settlement process.  Interesting times to come!

Posted at 10:36 11 June 2008 by Jim Murphy  |  Comments[1]

Sport - the biggest social movement in Europe

This morning I spoke at the Central Council for Physical Recreation (CCPR) Sport Summit at the Oval Cricket Ground, on the issue of Sport and the Lisbon Treaty. We had an interesting conversation about the role Europe should play on Sport. The participants welcomed that the treaty will not allow the EU to harmonise sporting regulations, meaning that sport is one of the many areas of the Treaty where EU input is strictly limited to complementing or adding action taken at EU level. 
 
We also enjoyed an interesting discussion on the wider role of sport in Europe. We agreed that sport plays an important framework in our society. It provides an inspiration for young people, allowing them to develop confidence and learn new skills, become fitter and stronger and have their talent recognised and developed. With over 700,000 sports clubs and associations within the European Union, it is easy to see why the British Olympic Association has described sport as the biggest social movement in Europe. 

How do you see Europe's role in promoting sporting development? I'd be interested in your views on this, either here or through my blog on the Sports Summit on the Guardian website.  Finally, you will be aware that Euro 2008 is underway, providing another example of the role of sport in bringing communities and nations together.  I was able to catch the Holland v Italy match on Monday night - the first game I have seen in the tournament. The Dutch won 3-0 in a convincing victory. But while the Dutch may be celebrating I am not. I wandered into the bookies at home on Saturday to put £10 on who I thought would win. You guessed it - I backed Italy at 7-1. What price an Italian victory now? I should stick to politics.

Posted at 16:05 10 June 2008 by Jim Murphy  |  Comments[2]

My meeting with the Pope

Yesterday I was in Rome to meet the Ministers in the new Italian government.  I also took part in a general audience with the Pope at the Vatican. Wet weather meant that thousands of pilgrims were invited into the Vatican to listen to the Pontiff.

The atmosphere was incredible and unexpected. I had expected a calm and reverential event and was amazed by how wrong I was. It was a wonderfully spiritual occasion but it was more than that. It was a celebration of Faith. It was loud and boisterous. As Pope Benedict named each group of pilgrims they cheered, sang or applauded. The noisiest group were the Polish groups. Some had brought instruments, many waved flags.

I had the once in a lifetime opportunity to meet the Pope at the end of the Audience and spoke to him about international debt and world poverty. It was a wonderful opportunity which I will never forget.

Posted at 16:51 22 May 2008 by Jim Murphy  |  Comments[3]