Not in Our Name

A revealing account of how the making of foreign policy in Britain bypasses the democratic process. Prompted by recent British foreign policy, the impact of which is felt more and more in the everyday life of the public - affecting everything from food prices to terrorism. Offers recommendations as to how the public can have a say in foreign policy. That people increasingly want to play a part in such decisions was shown by the protests over the Iraq war and the enthusiasm for Live8. Reflecting the placards carried by protestors against the Iraq war, the title "Not in our Name" refers to how Tony Blair's decision to join the US-led invasion of Iraq has revealed fundamental flaws in our democracy. The authors analyse the situation whereby MPs in Parliament and the public have almost no say in foreign policy as a whole - be it going to war, making treaties, giving aid, promoting development, selling arms, negotiating with the European Union, Nato, the World Trade Organisation, the World Bank, etc.
"Not in Our Name" looks at the checks and balances between parliament and the cabinet, the importance of parliamentary committees, Britain's relations with Europe, Britain's global dealings and our general interests abroad. The book concludes with a series of recommendations designed to make policies more accountable and transparent. "Not in Our Name" is the collective work of three leading British think-tanks - Democratic Audit, the Federal Trust and One World Trust. The three main authors are Simon Burall, Brendan Donnelly and Stuart Weir.