Britain not a superpower but has diplomatic connection to play major role: Hunt

Britain can still punch above its weight globally even after it exits the European Union (EU), Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said Wednesday ahead of a crucial parliamentary vote at home. Although Britain is neither a superpower nor in possession of an empire, the country still has the military might, economic muscle and diplomatic connections to play a major role in world affairs, Hunt said in Singapore.

Britons in a 2016 referendum voted to leave the EU, a political and economic partnership that currently has 28 members, triggering months of tortuous negotiations that have left the country bitterly divided. Parliament is due to debate Britain's withdrawal from the EU -- called Brexit -- next week ahead of a key vote the following week, as the country prepares to leave the bloc on March 29. Amid doubts over whether the deal will have enough backing, Prime Minister Theresa May used her New Year's message to rally support.

In a speech outlining Britain's global role after Brexit, Hunt said his country would remain an influential global player independent of the EU, even as he warned that failure to reach a deal would "cause disruption that could last some time".

While Britain should not overestimate its strength, it should not underestimate it either, he said at a diplomatic forum organised by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). "We are not a superpower and we do not have an empire," he said.

"But we do have the fifth biggest economy in the world, the second biggest military budget in NATO, the third biggest overseas aid budget, one of the two largest financial centres, highly effective intelligence services and a world-class diplomatic network, including permanent membership of the UN Security Council."

Hunt said post-Brexit Britain could learn from Singapore's economic model, especially the tiny city-state's long-term investment in education, infrastructure and the push to forge trade ties spanning the world. Tim Huxley, executive director for Asia at IISS, said the immediate challenge facing post-Brexit Britain concerned its ability to create a network of trade and economic links with other nations "as rapidly as possible". "If any country can exit the EU and not only survive but also prosper and prosper in security, I think the UK can," Huxley told AFP.

(With inputs from agencies.)