| Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May addresses the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York |
British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Wednesday the Brexit vote to leave the European Union was not a rejection of multilateralism, but a demand for accountability.
“The vote by the British people to leave the EU was not a rejection of multilateralism or international cooperation. It was a clear demand for decisions and accountability to lie closer to home,” May said in her address to the annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations.
“I believe the role of leadership in these circumstances is clear: it is delivering on the democratic wishes of our people and international cooperation working with allies and partners in pursuit of our shared values,” May said.
She also called on world leaders in New York to reject nationalism and fight to preserve the multilateral system, challenging US President Donald Trump’s anti-globalism stance.
May used her address at the General Assembly, chaired by Trump, to warn that “aggressive nationalism” could replace the rules-based international order unless leaders revived public confidence in the current system.
“If we lack the confidence to step up, others will,” she said, citing examples from the last century like the rise of fascism or the spread of communism. She said such trends were resurfacing in Europe and beyond.
“We have seen what happens when the natural patriotism which is a cornerstone of a healthy society is warped into aggressive nationalism, exploiting fear and uncertainty to promote identity politics at home and belligerent confrontation abroad, while breaking rules and undermining institutions.”
On Tuesday, Trump used his annual address to the United Nations to lay down a defiant message that he will reject globalism and protect American interests: “America is governed by Americans. We reject the ideology of globalism, and we embrace the doctrine of patriotism.”
May’s officials said the speech was not aimed at Trump and had been largely written before she had seen his remarks. The two were due to hold bilateral talks before May flies back to London.
Nevertheless, her response zeroed in on Trump’s comments.
“We must learn the lessons of the past and show through our actions how cooperation between strong and accountable states with open economies and inclusive societies can best deliver security and prosperity for all our people,” she said.
May also expressed her support for a free and fair media – another position which puts her at odds with Trump, who has frequently criticized journalists and described news reports that contradict his opinion or policy positions as fake news.
“Like many leaders, I suspect, I do not always enjoy reading what the media in my country writes about me,” May said. “But I will defend their right to say it – for the independence of our media is one of my country’s greatest achievements, and it is the bedrock of our democracy.”