We talk down our country too much, yet even under
a Labour government Britain is the sixth largest manufactoring
nation on the planet, the strongest military power in Western
Europe, the best special forces in the world, a lovely country
everyone wants to come to, a great olympic team, GB is OK.

Henry, Exeter, UK

When Mr Portillio crossed the road from Conservative to a
Liberal-Conservative he like all Liberals lost confidence in Britain and our future, this is why we joined the EU. But we
show in our economy, military, olympic team, way of life and
beautiful country, no need to fear the future.

Frankie, Yarmouth, England

Your country needs a President. Prime Ministers are largely forgotten if they don't engage the globe. Blair & Thatcher did. But Brown & Cameron are hardly intn'l leaders. Think about a President, guys.

Luke, New York City, USA

The UK and the US brought the Soviet Empire to its knees. Together we can do anything, if only we can ignore those have long tried to dictate what we cannot do.

I say thank god for Britain.

But how I long for another Churchill to arouse Britain from her dark slumber of indecision and doubt

John K, Philadelphia & Bangalore, USA & India

I thought Michael Potillo had left politics???
He keeps on popping up

graham, Swansea, UK

The UK always fought above its weight on the modern world stage, helped by players like Mrs. Thatcher and Tony Blair, who knew their roles. The vacuum left by a UK PM with stage fright, has been filled by bolder French and German leaders, leaving the UK in the wings. Take back the spotlight.

J. Hartman, Sao Tome, Sao Tome and Principe

'Virtue - all virtue - is knowledge' - Socrates and 'For also knowledge itself is power' - Francis Bacon. Given the smartness of some of the kids coming out of school and currently going through some of the Universities, dedication to education may give us all we need to punch above our weight.

Al, Glasgow, U.K.

Given the trends of the last dozen or so years, one can only conclude that the Socialists' agenda is to tear Britain apart socially, militarily, politically, economically, culturally and spiritually...and to grind the remains into the ground. Look at the past...think of the future!

GARTH STRONG, Houston, USA

"If we always do, what we always did, we will always get what we always got!"

If Bush has turned the other cheek and not hit Iraq ~ the world would be a better place.

Irony is ~ Saddam died because he did not have WMD, if he had he could have handed them over and lived!

Anne Kent, Dorset,

In this era of non nuclear proliferation, the Russians are showing their true colors. Hoq can we be sio naive as to not expect that the ambitious Russian genes would not inevitably express themseves? Threaten Poland witha nuclear attack. How dare they?? Perhaps it is time time to call their bluff.

Dan, NYC, USA

I think UK foreign policy should shrink until we rediscover our principles and start to abide by them.

Andy, London,

The reality is, the socialists have stripped UK defences bare, the UK couldn't defend herself if the Netherlands and Iceland decided to invade it and take it over.

Harry Jenkins, London,

Like the other utilities, the Foreign Office should be sold off to a foreign buyer.

m cater, london, uk

I hope so, we've been the No. 1 U.S Poodle for long enough it's time we stopped groveling to Neo Cons.

joe reilly, spalding, England

I hope so, we've been the No. 1 U.S Poodle for long enough it's time we stopped groveling to Neo Cons.

joe reilly, spalding, England

Good I hope Britain does become "invisible" on the world stage. I sick of us trying to act as a global policeman.

Martin, Cambridge, UK

Britain will be better off sweeping aside those peripheral foreign policy issues; peripheral means those issues that do not reap financial benefit.

So Tony Blair was right by sacrificing lives in pursuit of oil.

Gordon Brown was correct by doing nothing whilst Georgia was seized.

Neville Anderson, London, UK

So Michael Portillo is upset the UK is losing it's world influence. How odd that it is politicians the world over posturing and preening themselves that bring nations to war.The politicians do not die of course, they normally send their fellow countrymen (and women) to fight and die for the cause.

LB, BRACKNELL, UK

The glory days of Empire are never far away are they Mr Portillo?

Thatcher was part a grand coalition against an ideology - communism. Blair was part of a grand.....well let's not go there. Empire is finished - we are a small nation that should work with the EU for effective foreign policy.

Mark, London, UK

Britain's ability to influence international events is driven by foreign perceptions of her power to do so. What other nations see now is a mix of indecisive governance, declining military power, a population interested only in internal affairs, and continuing decline in will to confront threats.

Dennis Eagan, Colorado Springs, US

The loss of credibility Britain faces now are to a great extent Tony Blair's creation by lying about Iraqi WMD's in his famous dossier. Britain should now concentrate singularly on domestic issues such as rising unemployment and mortgage crisis and leave tangential international issues alone.

Dr Alok Bhattacharyya, London, UK

NATO is moribund already due to fatal overexpansion beyond its reason for existence. It is now dying in Afghanistan. Russia, like it or not, will defend what it sees as its sphere of national interests. Just like the Monroe Doctrine of the US in the Americas. Turn about is fair play.

tarquinis, Seattle, USA

one could saythat Tony Blair was responsible for Giorgia's woesby creating the rprecedent of NATO's invasion of Yugoslavia

peter c, devizes, wessex

Britain is a member of the EU. It follows that the EU should be carrying the "torch of democracy", not Britain alone. Our role in the battle of ideologies should diminish. Where we should be putting in the foreign policy effort is to protect our own self-interest in a global economy.

Dwight Vandryver, Scholar Green, Cheshire, UK

I would have a highly educated workforce, energy stability from sustainable sources, and heavy investment in R+D before mounting my high horse. Our future lies in this. We shouldn't chase a world position, if we work hard and are worthy of it, then it will come.

Charlie Peters, Bristol, UK

Don't confuse Brown with Britain, Brown is a loser, Britain is
not, with nine combat ready Brigades we have more military
power than the rest of Western-Europe combined, America
at the end of the day is interested in hard power which Britain
has, not effeminate-pacifist Europeans.

Frederick, Hampshire, UK

The Brown regime has decoupled British foreign policy from American foriegn policy. In addition to this, there is little doubt that Mr Brown's lame duck status has reduced the British position in the world.

As for Miliband, the less said the better.

Costas, Cyprus,

What does make the position strong? Independence based on democracy. Is UK independent? It, for a long time, is a joke.

Tim, Bonn,

The USSR has control over Europe's gas supplies and has claims on the last of the great untapped oil fields. We are totally compromised. In these uncertain times the UK should look to its own shores by making population control and energy and food security its number one priorities.

Callie Gauntlett, Milverton, UK

Michael,

We all know foreign policy is now directed by the EUSSR. It does make it easier for Brown, however, who has nothing to say of intelligen or use on anything, to keep his mouth "legitimately" shut.

Mind you, it was good to hear Miliband speaking so firmly; bet the Russians are terrified

Jeremy Poynton, Frome, England

I cannot think of anything better than that we should keep our traps firmly shut on this issue.

We should however now realise now that Russia is going to be a bloody nuisance for the foreseeable future and that three frigates, four Typhoons and an army of three divisions is not good enough.

David, Dubai & PL2, UAE & England

The only benefit from us forever poking our snout into other people's business around the world is to politicians' egos.

John Ledbury, Kings Lynn, England

Everyone seems to forget that the UK still has some of the biggest banks, aeroplane engine companies, oil companies and last year was the largest exporter of weapons. If thats not influence I don't what is. Also has thermo nucluler weapons for what it matters.

Caleb Wade, Melbourne, Australia

Britain would be better off doing a "Sweden" and stop getting involved in foreign troubles. Although we should rebuild our armed forces and remain militarliy strong as a deterent.

Martin Hazelgrove, Bridgwater, UK

Why should we want a role in the world? Our under equiped armed forces should be there to protect our interests, not to interfere in other countries or support some spurious American "coalition". Global reach and is vanity.

Tom, Holmfirth, UK

Sir, your country lost its world role after WWII, some would say even after WWI.

Hatsumi, Tokyo, Japan

"Is it too much to hope that Britain can again find a role in foreign affairs of the scale achieved by Thatcher and Blair?"

In all sincerity, I hope so.

Chris, Leeds,

The only thing that pathetic excuse for a prime minister thinks about is how long he'll have to wait before he gets the chop. The only thing his ministers think about is how to position themselves to benefit.

It's no wonder they're doing nothing about foreign (or domestic) policy.

Ian, London, UK

So we were caught napping again,over Georgia that is .
Could someone remind me once again how many billions the tax payer is billed for security. or will "lessons be learnt"

Eddy, Bury St.Edmunds,

Michael Portillo's piece tells you all there is to know about politicians - at least British ones - vainglorious with no sense of reality.

Eddie Reader, birmingham, england

Until we need not use Russia as an energy supplier we are in no position to influence anything. It is time we recognised that we have coal as our resource of energy so we should use it until the CO2 lobby have total 100% incontrovertible proof of their case not a minority viewpoint judgement .

D Cage, Highworth, UK

With regard to forward thinking, does the government, think at all. I suggest not.

Dave, Chorley,

What on earth did you politicans expect ?
You gave everything to Europe and in particular the "vain glorious" French and the "angst ridden" Germns.
Warn the Russians about the "carbon foot print" they have left behind in Georgia that should do the trick.

Peter Bolt, Reddich, UK

Is the real issue not the EU? Its greed, ignorance & arrogance, typified by Sarkozy & Merkyl has been exemplified in its over zealous and unreasonable expansion, which is leading us down an Orwellian path aka "1984". The Eastern Bloc has been replaced with the EU - Russia probably feels threatened.

Paul C, Harlow, England

Does it matter?
Why should Britain have a major influence in world affairs? With our history in imperialism and exploitation of other countries to tell others what to do?

chris, st awful,

I'd rather we persued a policy of splendid isolation. Getting entangled in the affairs of Europe in the early 20th century gave us nothing but fields of dead, empty coffers and years of debt to the USA

John Tomlinson, Brentwood, UK

Britain is cracking at the seems ,The English have no identity without Britain ,The Scots are Heading for independence.Its confusing for folks here never mind abroad!

Eric Reynolds, Glasgow, Scotland

I love you British,worrying about if you're still relevant on the world stage.With all sincerity,if push comes to shove,I still want the Lion fighting on our side.You folks are tenacious,resourceful,and yes respected.That's why the Russians keep screwing with you,because they know you're dangerous.

Ian, Austin TX, USA

Hmm, maybe Mr Portillo would rather that Gordon Brown took us into a war fuelled by lying to the general public, such as the war in Iraq. One should remember that Mrs Thatcher's legacy is greed and poverty. She created an estate agent mentality "Grab as much as you can, as quickly as you can"

Marc, Paris, France

Just what is Brown good for? He's certainly not PM material. As for Boy-Moribund, I doubt Putin wld give a second thought to anything he had to say. We need a Statesman for Foreign Sec, not a pretty-boy kid who's never done a real job in his life. Election needed; take back foreign policy from EUSSR

Donna Walker, Effingham, England

Brown appears to have got this right (for a change)

Keep our nose out of other peoples affairs.

Britain is no longer a world power, we should take out place as a small island in the North Atlantic and mind our own

You don't see Iceland telling Russia what to do?

billy, Cardiff, Wales

There seems to be a lot of support for Michael's view but isn't it about time Britain didn't rush to squander taxpayers' money on yet another piece of international posturing? Brown doesn't get much right but he did with this - let the FCO deal with it (thats what we have a Foreign Secretary for).

TH, Tewkesbury, Glos

Portillo has finally lost it. He misses Blair, who took us into a war we had no part in through lying over the reason. Who knows what he would have said about Russia? Our time for high profile foreign policy was the 19th century. We are second division now. Where has this man been?

John Bull, Wolverhampton,

I agree entirely with Michail Portilo's analysis of the Blair phenomenon and the prominence of Britain in his days....he will be remembered as one of the best PMs that Britain has had after the War.
Has Mr Portillo ever considered joining the Blairite faction ...who knows he could be PM by now!

Joe Bonello, Bournemouth, UK

With their record on the home front, I dont think its in anyones interests to have Brown and his crew start to become involved in this situation. Lets try and sort out the mess we are in here first.

martin, Spain,

we are a small insignificant country now aligned inextrixcably with a number of other similar countries all having insignificant leaders.
All decisions are done by horse trading, something that does not work so well in time of conflict.
France and Germany will still act in joint interests.

mike cassidy, gloucester, engalnd

There was so much foreign policy posturing under Thatcher and Blair that it led to the UK's involvement in the Iraq disaster. Does Mr. Portillo really want more of the same? We should act through the EU and all our efforts in foreign policy should be directed to this end.

Martin Shaw, Cadiz, Spain

I'm more interested about what a British government does in Britian, than what it does abroad.

As for Georgia, I think to involve ourselves in that, 'can of worms' would be sheer madness.

Lesson one, 'Don't poke a bear wit h a stick, your likely to get you hand bitten off'

david, exeter, uk

British cannot defend themselves from their own political follies at home,CCTV, DNA, Government intrusion, out of control immigration,taxes, Social decay. Few I meet even talk of Britain except in sadness. Charity begins at home. What is Britain Any more? A Security council vote & US Base/state.

Alexander, Victoria, Seychelles

British position in global politics depends primarily which camp it sits in. Whereas having US on its side, even as a puppeteer, has its uses, it would require an outright change of heart to obtain a more prominent role. Britain should decide on where does its interest lie, then move forward.

Michael, Limassol, Cyprus

Why doesn't he mention how important Georgia is? Russia has its boot on important oil pipelines now and they have you by the short and curlies. Failure to mention that shows a powerful lot of ignorance. Cameron is pretty stupid in a lot of ways but he is right to think its a big deal.

Christopher H, Canberra, Australia

With the Boy Millipede at the FO, no womder we were caught napping. Roll on the next election when we can sweep this Nu Labour bunch of half-wits out. They are not even half way competent politicians or diplomats, far less great statesmen like Churchill.

Steve, London, UK

i dont really care how hard a sell defending geogia and ukraine is. the point is that by standing up to russia we can prevent ww3, if we appease them they keep going and going building up their forces untill they reach a current nato country maybe in the baltics and then we will be commited anyway.

will, grimsby, uk

What is seriouly at fault in the government is the contingency planning. In particular military equipment, enormous immigrant increase, especially when there are immigrants issuing passports to immigrants. Also new prisons, who in the goverment has thought 10 years ahead, or 30 years.

m wilson, bidache, france

ANNOUNCER: There is a bear in the woods. For some people the bear is easy to see. Others don't see it at all. Some people say the bear is tame. Others say it's vicious and dangerous. Since no one can really be sure who's right, isn't it smart to be as strong as the bear? If there is a bear? (1984)

Dan Schwartz, Sayreville, New Jersey, US of A

Does Cameron really undrestand foreign policy,does he consult before rushing to the press.GEORGIA IS Russian baby to include her in NATO. A world war can be started by reckless leaders like the current one in Georgia,sorry ,even Cameron with his excitement in blindly embracing Georgia

kamalunga, hatfield, uk

Labour doesn't work. Maybe because Gordon Brown's salary is taxed too much.

Fred, Mesa, AZ, USA

Let GB fix things at home first then worry about other people's problems. Trouble is there is no sigh he can fix education and healthcare etc

Jack Tar, Shanghai,

Brown just issues statements which no one is listening to- he is just a complete no entity.

What we should be doing is supporting Georgia and preparing to provide her with immediate relief for the population and then help replace the security equipment the Russians are busy destroying.

Peter Jones, Stroud,

So you're a realist as opposed an liberalist then Michael?

Sarah , Belfast,

If Russia captures Tiblisi and the pipeline from the Caspian Sea then the West would have to go to war regardless of Georgia not being in Nato. The Russians are not as powerful as they make out and such an act could not be allowed to stand. Blair would say the same as Cameron

Adrian, London,

If Britain could act out its role in reality in the same way Brown describes Britain's roles in the world in theory, what a great nation we would be again.

Less Haw Haw and more action is required. Just look at PM Brown's actions on crime, the economy, etc - all words with little action again !!

ian payne, walsall,

Wide of the mark on this occasion, Mr Portillo. It's about time we kept our nose out of other people's business. I'd rather our leaders sort out things closer to home. Abolishing NICE [National Institute for Clinical Excellence] would be a good start.

Jason Dack, Woking, England

Britain's position in the world will soon be comparable to a late late late show on TV.

E.L.SORDO, GLASGOW, SCOTLAND