Robin Cook tried to bring some kind of morality back to Foreign Affairs policy in 1997 (doesn't that feel pre-historic). It was a good try but our arms industry is so vast and being Foreign Secretary doesn't give you much say in what the MOD does.
William Hague surprised most Tories with a wise and profound speech earlier last week in carving out a new set of principles. He was half right on Europe - what he should have done was to establish a new department outside of the Foreign Office which frankly loathes the place. Otherwise, he was right about South America, India and China.
Missing was a detailed analysis of Soft Power and how much more important it is today than it was even yesterday.
We have three battalions - the Open University, BBC World (radio but not tv) and the British Council - already out there, now we must ask our great museums, libraries, galleries, gardens and parks to join in. At the moment they are busy in China, Iraq, Iran and the UAE but with support from the Government they could be our leaders in this area.