Strongman, authoritarian politics is globally on the rise and democratic countries should re-emphasise their basic values, protect institutions and freedoms and ensure rule of law, said David Cameron, the former Conservative Prime Minister of the U.K., on Wednesday.
“Yes it’s [authoritarian politics] on the rise. We should look for the source of our strength. Britain is now facing the real challenge because of Brexit. But even in the middle of this, I will invest in Britain because I know my investment will be safe because you have the rule of law. If someone steals my investment, I can take the government to the court of law. So rule of law is actually the heart of the strength of British society,” he said, while delivering the K.S. Narayanan Centenary Oration here.
Mr. Cameron was introduced by N. Sankar, chairman of the Sanmar Group. The speech was followed by a conversation between Mr. Cameron and N. Ram, Chairman of The Hindu Publishing Group.
“Many strongman leaders think they believe in democracy. But democracy is not just getting elected every five years. There should be free speech, rule of law, freedoms. Investments need to be secure,” Mr. Cameron said in the speech.
Asked if India is also facing a rise of authoritarian politics, the former British Prime Minister said it’s an opportunity for India to reassert its democratic credentials.
“India’s strength is that it’s the biggest democracy in the world. Our democracies are based on free press, free expression, independent courts, strong institutions, rule of law. The question is where do you want to be. You want to be up here? You want to fight corruption? You want transparency? Honesty? Or you want to be down here, with [Russian President Vladimir] Putins and [Philippines President Rodrigo] Dutertes. And I think India has this golden opportunity to say strongly that yes, we are the largest democracy in the world. That’s what makes us stand out.”
Mr. Cameron said the world faces four key challenges—the crisis in globalisation, the rise of great nations, extremist terrorism and climate change—and called for urgent action to tackle all these. He said he is a big supporter of globalisation and free trade which has changed the world over the past several decades, taking millions out of poverty. “But the critics do have a point. Too many people and places were missed out. So we have to correct the course to make globalisation work for every one.”
He added that he supports the rise of new powers like India. “Countries have to work together side by side. I want India to have its position in multilateral organisations. I want India to take its permanent seat in the UN Security Council. Countries have to work together side by side.”
Mr. Cameron said both India and the U.K. suffered from terror and “we work together in tackling it.” “We must recognise the ideology of terror. Terrorists are against every religion. They target Christians, Jews, Muslims... everyone who doesn’t agree with their view will be targeted. And we need moderate Islam on our side in this fight.”
On Brexit, Mr. Cameron said the U.K.’s relationship with the European Union has always had issues. “Every party in the U.K. had promised referendums of one or the other kind related to the EU in the past,” he said defending his decision to call the referendum in which a majority of British voters voted to leave the EU, setting off the Brexit process. Britain now has less than two months to leave the EU and it still doesn’t have a deal acceptable to the British lawmakers.
“I believe Britain is better off within the EU. But we have to implement the referendum. I don’t know what will happen next. But the solution is to leave the EU in the most sensible way, with a partnership agreement.”
Mr. Cameron said Brexit could be good and bad for India. “The bad thing is that Britain in the European Union has been a voice for trade with India and better relations with India. The good news is that Britain after Brexit will have to make friends, partnerships, and I think India is a natural partner. We need investments. Indian companies have made investments in UK. Indian companies make the best steel for us. Thousands of Indian students to the U.K. every year. We will have to work harder. I think there are both sides.”
