On Tuesday, 13th July, 2010, Sir John attended the Conservative Foreign and Commonwealth Council Dinner in London. During the question period which followed Sir John’s speech, he was asked to comment on the new Coalition Government:
“I am wholeheartedly in favour of the Coalition: indeed, on the morning of the election result, when it became clear the Conservatives did not have a majority of their own, I suggested publicly that Liberal-Democrats should be brought into the Cabinet.
The last Labour Government has left the nation in the most wretched state. Our economic problems are severe and it’s more likely that the right decisions will be taken with two Parties working together in the national interest, rather than working alone and being accused of party political self-interest. For me, the sight of a new generation of political leaders working together – each having sacrificed some cherished and long-held ideas – is one of the most attractive political developments for decades.
Having lived through thirteen years of a self-interested, self-absorbed, short-term-fix Labour Government, people seem positively energised and hugely optimistic of what this new Coalition Government might deliver. The foreign policy speech given by William Hague at the beginning of this month, for example, was a masterclass in grown-up thinking, for the long-term benefit of the UK.
It’s in all our interests that they succeed and I – for one – wish them every possible success in their endeavour.”