I am delighted today to be taking up the role of Chair at Best for Britain. I want to start by thanking my predecessor Mark Malloch-Brown for steering the organisation so brilliantly for the past four years.

I watched Best for Britain’s relaunch in April this year with a great deal of interest. I found myself agreeing with the values Naomi set out in her CEO’s speech. Values of openness, internationalism, tolerance and democratic accountability. If you have not watched that speech, I urge you to do so here. It convinced me of the very real need for Best for Britain to stay on the pitch and I’ve been impressed to see it successfully turn from a temporary campaign against Brexit, to a permanent organisation for internationalist values.
And I am nothing if not an internationalist. My most recent post was as the U.K. Ambassador to the United States. But I’ve worn many hats. My 40-year career as a diplomat took me all over the world, from Tokyo, to Rome, to Brussels and Washington. I have advised both Labour and Conservative Prime Ministers, I have been National Security Adviser, and U.K. Permanent Representative to the European Union.
So I don’t need to tell you that between the climate crisis, threats from terrorism and global pandemics, and threats to our supply chains and opportunities for British people, our country faces great challenges in the immediate future. Challenges that we can only hope to overcome by working with others around the world, particularly our nearest neighbours in Europe.
I know that Britain has always been strongest when working with our friends and that we show our greatest leadership when setting an example for other nations to follow – upholding not breaking international treaties, championing not eroding democracy, working with not against our allies.
I am delighted to join Best for Britain’s Board and our campaign for strengthened relations abroad and better democracy at home.
None of what we achieve would be possible without you, our supporters, who are so generous with your energy, time and donations. Thank you.
There is much to be done, as we work to deliver a confident, united and more equal Britain, that is once again respected on the world stage. And I look forward to doing it with you.
Lord Kim Darroch
Chairperson, Best for Britain